Protesters gather to ram home message to press for second referendum

Campaigners gathered in Dundee city centre to pressurise the Labour Party into offering stronger backing for a second Brexit referendum.

A pro-european Union (EU) group arrived outside the Caird Hall waving EU flags and saltires.

Members of Perth for Europe, Fife for Europe and the European Movement in Scotland were among those in attendance.

The group had a bagpiper and saxophonist and sang from the steps of the Caird Hall.

It is demanding Labour Party leaders take a firm stance in committing to a “People’s Vote” on the UK’S membership of the EU.

Susannahrae, ofperthforeuropeand the European Movement in Scotland, said: “We don’t feel that Labour has held the government to account on Brexit to nearly the extent they should have.

“The are sending very mixed messages. They came out (for a second vote) and backed it. They are not being particularly I suppose, given it policy.”

Speaking at the conference, Lesley Laird, a Fife MP who is in Mr Corbyn’s cabinet, defended Labour’s record in holding the Conservatives to account on their handling of Brexit, which she called an“abject lesson in incompetence”.

She said: “As an opposition we have inflicted 17 defeats on this government – one by 230 votes – the biggest defeat in parliamentary history.

“And there were 22 occasions where the Tories simply chose not to vote rather than be defeated.

“I don’t know about you but given the numbers and the DUP sweetheart deal – I think that’s a pretty sound record for any opposition.”

The European Movement in Scotland has members from across the political spectrum. forceful or definite is about to be party