Labour MPS may get free vote as party splits exposed

LABOUR has refused to rule out giving its MPS a free vote on the Withdrawal Agreement as Jeremy Corbyn’s spokesman suggested that Brexit could still be stopped.

While the Labour leader yesterday claimed that Theresa May’s deal was a “failure in its own terms”, his Brexit strategy was at risk of unravelling last night after his party declined to say how it would vote when it is brought before Parliament.

And, after appearing to contradict Mr Corbyn’s claim that Brexit cannot be reversed, his official spokesman refused to rule out a second referendum, insisting that “all options remain on the table”.

Although Labour has previously insisted it will reject any deal which fails to meet its six Brexit tests, Mr Corbyn’s failure to spell out a clear position will fuel hopes in Downing Street that Mrs May can win over enough rebels to get her deal across the line.

It came after a number of Labour MPS told The Daily Telegraph that they will take “no notice” of the party’s whipping arrangements when the vote is called, while others suggested the deal was the best option available.

One said: “More than 100 MPS have voted against the whip during the passage of Brexit legislation. I very much doubt that is going to change now.”

Separately, Lisa Nandy, a Labour backbencher, has suggested that the party should back Mrs May, telling reporters last week that MPS “owe it to the country to try and find a way through”.

Mrs May last night met Mr Corbyn in Downing Street in an apparent admission from the Prime Minister that she will need Labour voted to get the plan through Parliament.