Corbyn 'could not see Labour campaigning to leave EU'

Mr Corbyn acknowledged that the party's policy was still under discussion and he wanted to see a "social Europe" rather than a "free market Europe".

But he said if Mr Cameron's new deal with the EU involved unacceptable measures, Labour would "say we have to stay in Europe to change those policies" - which would form a manifesto commitment for the general election.

He told the BBC: "We are having discussions to sort this question out. Basically, on the question of Europe I want to see a social Europe, a cohesive Europe, a coherent Europe, not a free market Europe.

"That is a developing position. It is not a problem, we have had that discussion, we are continuing that discussion, there will be very clear statements coming out in the very near future."

Asked if he could envisage a situation where Labour campaigned for a British exit he said: "No, I don't see that position because I think we are going to be working with trade unions and social groups all across Europe as well as social groups in this country.

"I see the way forward as how we develop the idea of a social Europe. What I was opposed to and remain opposed to is the idea that David Cameron could go around Europe and give up workers' rights, give up environmental protection, give up a whole lot of things that are very important."

If the Prime Minister's deal was unacceptable, he said: "What I would do is strongly oppose what Cameron has done and say we have to stay in Europe to change those policies and that would be a manifesto commitment up to 2020. But we are working this position out at the moment."

Mr Corbyn, who faced Mr Cameron across the despatch box at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time, said it was a "very interesting experience" to stand up in the Commons knowing that many of his own MPs did not think he was the right leader for the party.

"I have a mandate that comes from members and supporters, I was not supported by the majority of MPs. But I have to say they have been respectful, co-operative and we have managed to put together a shadow cabinet which does have a majority of women on it and is, I think you would agree, a broad range of opinion.

"There are going to be some very interesting debate days ahead, but I think people have to recognise that the thirst out there for a different way of doing politics, a different way of doing our democracy, is something I feel very strongly about and there is an enormous responsibility on me to make sure it's delivered."

The Labour leader's policies put him at odds with many members of his shadow cabinet, but he insisted he would attempt to persuade them to accept his views rather than dictate the party's platform.

He indicated he wanted to give more power over policies to local parties - which could increase his ability to get his agenda through as huge support from the Labour grassroots helped him achieve the landslide win in the leadership election.

As well as Europe, other splits between the leader and his senior team of shadow ministers involve Mr Corbyn's opposition to the cap on welfare and his desire to see the UK give up its nuclear weapons.

He told Channel 4 News: "The policy is that we work within the total budget of £120 billion. My proposal, which the party will have to discuss - and they will - is that we should not impose the current benefit cap."

But he accepted he would have to "live with it" if his opposition to the cap was rejected by the party because "I am a democrat".

On the Trident nuclear deterrent, Mr Corbyn insisted he would not let the policy differences tear Labour apart.

"We are having discussions, obviously. I put it very clearly out there my view was that, when the vote comes in Parliament in 2016 as it probably will, we should not vote to renew Trident because I want to see us fulfil our obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty," he said.

"To me this is a very, very serious issue. Everyone is pretty well aware of my views on wanting to live in a non-nuclear word. There is going to be that debate, that debate is going to be held in a respectful, democratic manner.

"I hope the party will come to a position of wanting us to become a nation that does not renew nuclear weapons, but we are not going to divide and ruin ourselves as a party over this."

If he failed to get his way, Mr Corbyn insisted he would not walk away from the leadership which he won with a landslide from Labour members and supporters.

He said: "I'm not resigning. I have been elected on a mandate from more than a quarter of a million people."

Setting out the changes he wanted to see in the way that Labour's policies are set, he said: "What we are going to have to do is change our policy-making process to empower local constituency parties and affiliated unions and take it through to conference in the future," he said.

Mr Corbyn, who has faced a difficult and at times chaotic start to his leadership, insisted he was up to the job.

He told Channel 4 News: "I have been elected to lead our party and I'm very proud of that, I'm very proud of the result which we achieved."

He added: "Democracy, yes, puts pressure on everybody - including me - to do our best to deliver things. That is what democracy is about. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I was able to do it."

Labour appointed a former adviser to Ken Livingstone as its new executive director for policy and rebuttal, a key role in Mr Corbyn's team.

Neale Coleman was closely involved in the bid for the London Olympics and the subsequent staging of the games.

Between 1982 and 1990 he was deputy leader of the Labour group on Westminster Council and played a central role in exposing the homes-for-votes scandal.