Local MSP Kenneth Gibson has called on Labour to clarify its position on Trident, following a vote at the party’s Scottish conference.

Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, Maria Eagle MP, has said the decision “does not change” UK Labour policy, which is set at a UK level. Ms Eagle also made clear that Labour remains in favour of Trident renewal.

Former senior advisor to Tony Blair and Labour in Scotland John McTernan, told BBC Scotland that Trident has “nothing to do with Scottish Labour” and their decision to oppose renewal of the nuclear weapons system is “irrelevant” as “it will be renewed”.

Former Scottish Labour MP Gemma Doyle added that the conference vote “does nothing to change” UK Labour policy in support of Trident.

Commenting, Mr Gibson said: “We welcome Labour’s Scottish conference vote opposing Trident renewal but the truth is that unless they can convince their Westminster colleagues to vote against it in the House of Commons, their decision will be utterly meaningless.

“We now have an absurd situation where the leader of Labour in Scotland supports the renewal of Trident but leads a party that opposes it – while the party’s UK leader is opposed to renewal but leads a party that supports it!

“Labour’s position on Trident is a shambolic, incoherent and chaotic mess.

“And the fact that their Shadow Defence Secretary has now said that renewal is nothing to do with Labour in Scotland and the Scottish conference vote therefore "does not change" party policy simply reflects the reality that Labour in Scotland has little influence on UK Labour.

“In Scotland Labour conferences consistently voted against nuclear weapons throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but it did nothing to change UK Labour’s pro-nuclear policy.

“Only the SNP has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and voted against Trident renewal.

"The UK Government is now expected to spend an obscene £167 billion on replacing this nuclear weapons system – at the same time as slashing essential tax credits for low earners.

“Scotland’s national parliament by contrast will send a loud and clear message to Westminster that we oppose another generation of nuclear weapons."