Have relations between Emily Thornberry and the armed forces already soured?

Jeremy Corbyn made his views on changing the Labour party’s Trident policy pretty clear last night when he moved pro-Trident Maria Eagle out of the role of shadow defence secretary in favour of Emily Thornberry.

Thornberry – who is anti-Trident – has been labelled as a controversial appointment by some given that – as well as having a penchant for white vans – she is in favour of nuclear disarmament. While this may make her job difficult when it comes to getting the armed forces on side, it won’t be the only obstacle she will have to overcome.

Back in December 2014, Thornberry declared in her register of interests a donation of £14,500 from Leigh Day & Co. Labour later came under fire when it was revealed that this was the same law firm who had pursued false claims that British soldiers in Iraq were involved in torture and murder. The law firm was criticised after an inquiry found the allegations to be ‘based on deliberate and calculated lies’ and ‘wholly and entirely without merit’.

While Labour issued a statement at the time, perhaps it’s now time for Thornberry to release one of her own given her new position.