Jeremy Corbyn refuses to commit to backing Nato allies with troops if they are invaded by Russia Jeremy Corbyn has risked another row with his own defence spokesperson after twice refusing to confirm he would support a […]

Jeremy Corbyn has risked another row with his own defence spokesperson after twice refusing to confirm he would support a Nato ally militarily if it were invaded by Russia.

The Labour leader met with Nia Griffith, the shadow Defence Secretary, earlier this month after she was said to be “livid” at a Corbyn aide suggesting British troops should be removed from a Nato deployment to Estonia.

Now Mr Corbyn has once again raised questions over his commitment to the central plank of the British and European defence policy, the pledge that Nato members will always provide armed support if one of them is attacked.

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Mr Corbyn was asked on Sky News whether he would order UK service personnel into action if a Nato country was invaded by Russia, were he to become Prime Minister.

But Islington North MP avoided the question, telling the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: “I would want us to try and de-escalate the tensions as of now, and there are some signs that could happen. That means building up a positive relationship with Russia.” He said Nato-Russia talks should “include removal of troops away from the border.”

Pressed to answer whether he would order troops into action, Mr Corbyn replied: “It’s a hypothetical question. I’m not in favour of anybody invading anywhere else and I would do everything I could dot bring about a situation where there are reasonable productive relationships between all countries so we don’t end up in a situation where’ lives are put at risk and people’s liberties are at risk as well.”

Asked if Nato was concerned about Mr Corbyn’s questions, a source at the alliance told i the organisation was aware it was not the first time the Labour leader had cast doubt on his commitment to the Nato common defence strategy. But they said Nato allies had “no doubt of the rock solid commitment of the UK” to the alliance.

Mr Corbyn’s comments come at a sensitive time for the future of Nato, with the new US President, Donald Trump, calling for European partners to spend more money on defence rather than relying on the US for military support, and questioning whether it is designed to deal with modern threats such as Islamic terrorism.