THE BRITISH Army would use “whatever means possible” to prevent a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn shrinking its size, a serving general said on Sunday.

The general told the Sunday Times that Mr Corbyn’s election as leader had been greeted with “wholesale dismay” within the armed forces.

Senior officers are prepared to take “direct action” to stop Mr Corbyn downgrading the army, withdrawing from Nato or scrapping Trident, he said.

“There would be mass resignations at all levels and you would face the very real prospect of an event which would effectively be a mutiny.”

RAF veteran Harry Leslie Smith was among people who accused the general of displaying a disregard for democracy.

“If a general thinks he’s above the democratic will it’s time to put him to pasture.”