Labour contender wants second poll

British Labour Party leadership contender Owen Smith says he will order Labour MPs to block any move to trigger article 50 unless the government agrees to a second referendum on the Brexit deal.

Setting out his stall as a “passionate pro-European” who will “fight tooth and nail to keep us in the EU”, he said: We will vote in parliament to block any attempt to invoke article 50 until Theresa May commits to a second referendum or a general election on whatever EU exit deal emerges at the end of the process.”

He added: ““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.

“Theresa May says that 'Brexit means Brexit' - but nobody knows what Brexit looks like. It could involve trashing workers' rights and environmental protections, opening our NHS up to foreign competition, making it harder for us to trade with our neighbours and damaging our economy.”

Mr Smith, who was speaking to party members in Hammersmith, criticised rival Jeremy Corbyn for having called for article 50 to be invoked immediately after the referendum (though Mr Corbyn has since backtracked).

At present it remains unclear if triggering article 50 (the formal start of EU exit negotiations) will require MPs to vote, or if it can be done by the prime minister using the royal prerogative. A court case has been launched seeking a definitive ruling.

The Labour leadership election will be on September 21 and only people who have been party members since on or before January 12 are being allowed to vote.