Backlash as peers call for second referendum

BRUSSELS -BACKING peers were last night accused of “seriously undermining” Britain’s position in the Brexit negotiations by demanding a fresh EU referendum.

A string of peers pleaded for another national poll during a Lords debate yesterday.

One even called for leading Leave campaigners Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to be “imprisoned” for alleged “lies” during the run-up to the 2016 in-or-out vote.

But Brexit minister Lord Callanan said: “There is a very real risk that the continuing campaign to overturn the referendum decision to leave is seriously undermining our negotiating position if those on the other side believe we may change our minds.

“It risks profound constitutional, legal and policy difficulties which would be a distraction from the Government’s efforts to secure the best deal for the UK.” Downing Street last night also dismissed the pleas.

Theresa May’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear on a number of occasions, the people have had their say.

“They voted to leave the EU and the Prime Minister is going to deliver upon that.”

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Campbell of Pittenweem led calls for a fresh EU poll during two hours of debate.

Lord Campbell said voters had been “failed by incoherence and incompetence” among the politicians charged with delivering Brexit. “The people of Britain have a right to be allowed to pass judgment on any deal forged in such circumstances. They should be given that opportunity,” he said.

Tycoon Lord Sugar said: “Those people who will be responsible for putting this country into five to 10 years of post-Brexit turmoil based on lies – such as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove for the £350million lie on the red bus – should be imprisoned or at least prosecuted.

“I seriously believe the public were misled. For that reason I believe the public should be entitled to a vote on the final negotiated terms.”

But Lord Callanan said the calls were led by a small group of die-hard Remainers “who by definition do not respect the result of referenda”.

“Why should we believe they would somehow respect the result of another referendum?” he asked. Tory former Chancellor Lord Lamont said: “It is a dishonest use of language to say this would be a people’s referendum, in some sense more democratic than the first.”