Smith aims to block triggering of Brexit

Owen Smith has promised to attempt to block the triggering of formal negotiations to leave the European Union until the Government offers a second referendum or calls a general election to approve its final Brexit deal.

The former shadow work and pensions secretary said that under his leadership the Labour Party will vote against triggering Article 50 until the Conservatives commit to a second public vote.

Outlining his position exactly two months after the outcome of the historic vote was announced, Mr Smith hit out at comments made by Jeremy Corbyn on the morning of the EU referendum result calling for Article 50 to be invoked immediately. The Labour leader has since backtracked and insisted he misspoke.

Mr Smith said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to call for Article 50 to be invoked immediately after the referendum result was deeply irresponsible and, if he had been listened to, would have damaged Britain’s interests.

“The British people were lied to by the Leave campaign – they deserve to have a say on whatever exit deal the Tories strike with the EU.”

He added: “I’m a passionate pro-European and I will fight tooth and nail to keep us in the EU.”