Corbyn Facing Revolt Over Syria Airstrikes

comes after David Cameron made his case for extending military action against Islamic State,

saying "every day we don't take action is a day ISIL grows stronger".

Mr Corbyn said while he is "determined to see the defeat" of IS, "the issue now is whether what the Prime Minister is proposing strengthens, or undermines, our national security".

In a letter to MPs, sent after a shadow cabinet meeting, he added: "I do not believe that the Prime Minister today made a convincing case that extending UK bombing to Syria would meet that crucial test.

"Nor did it satisfactorily answer the questions raised by us and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee."

And the letter has angered some who see it as an attempt to pre-empt Monday's shadow cabinet meeting while appealing over the head of MPs to the grass roots members who swept Mr Corbyn to the leadership.

Shadow international development secretary Diane Abbott insisted the shadow cabinet was not entitled to vote down the leader and said she was confident they would come to the "right decision".

"Jeremy appoints the shadow cabinet - not the other way round. You cannot have a shadow cabinet voting down the leader of the Labour Party who has just been elected with the biggest mandate in history."

However, shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said Mr Cameron had set out "compelling arguments" for Britain to join other nations in extending airstrikes against IS into Syria.

"I'm very clear in my mind that there's a real threat to the UK from ISIL Daesh...

"I think we have a responsibility to take effective action to deal with that threat."

When asked if shadow cabinet members will be forced to vote against airstrikes, he added: "It's important for people to make their decision as a member of Parliament."

Mr Corbyn has now pulled out of a planned visit to campaign in the Oldham West by-election this weekend in order to deal with the situation.

The Prime Minister has said there would be no vote in the House of Commons unless he was assured there was a clear majority in favour.

And with some Conservative MPs still opposed to the plans, he may need support from a significant number of Labour members.