Stop trying to scupper Brexit, Labour rebels tell Corbyn ahead of key vote

JEREMY Corbyn faces a Commons rebellion after Eurosceptic Labour MPs accused him of ‘trying to scupper Brexit’ by blocking vital new legislation.

The Labour leader confirmed he would order his MPs to oppose the EU Withdrawal Bill in a crunch Commons vote on Monday.

Thirty Labour MPs have met with Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer about the stance, warning it would be seen by Leave-supporting Labour voters as a betrayal. The new law would

repeal the European Communities Act 1972 that enshrines the supremacy of EU law, and transfer thousands of EU regulations into British law in order to smooth the path to Brexit.

Labour is demanding a guarantee the UK will continue to keep pace with EU laws on workers’ rights and the environment.

And it wants legal guarantees Britain will be able to stay in the single market and customs union during any transition deal.

Sir Keir said yesterday that Labour could back permanent membership of the customs union, even though this would make it impossible for Britain to strike trade deals.

Brexit Secretary David Davis accused Labour of taking ‘the most cynical, unprincipled approach’ to the legislation.

Former Labour minister Kate Hoey said her party appeared to be ‘trying to scupper Brexit’, while Labour MP Graham Stringer said he would also be defying Mr Corbyn’s orders.