Labour on the brink of backing second Brexit referendum in bid to stop more MPs quitting and joining Independent Group
Jeremy Corbyn could support a Commons motion designed to trigger a fresh public vote on Brexit, potentially undermining the results of the historic referendum
LABOUR could back a second referendum on Brexit within days as Jeremy Corbyn battles to stop more MPs quitting.
Party bosses are considering backing a Commons motion which would trigger a so-called "people's vote" on whether to stay in the EU.
It comes as pro-Remain MPs warn Mr Corbyn they'll walk out and join the Independent Group if he doesn't endorse a second referendum, that could sabotage Brexit.
Dozens of Labour MPs are reportedly considering resigning over Corbyn's approach to Brexit.
They've told the party leader they will join up with the 11 members of the Independent Group - who are hugely pro-Europe - unless he gets behind a referendum.
Official party policy is to push for a General Election and a new Brexit deal which keeps Britain in the customs union - but if that fails, Labour is open to "all options".
COMMONS COUP
John McDonnell, Mr Corbyn's right-hand man, today hinted the leader is close to backing a referendum.
He : "On the people’s vote, we’ve kept it on the table and we’re moving towards that."
Next week two Labour backbenchers plan to push an amendment which would approve Mrs May's Brexit deal but also put it to a public vote.
Mr McDonnell said the motion drawn up by Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson "could be a solution".
It would give voters a choice between staying in the EU, or leaving on the terms proposed by the PM.
Mrs May will fiercely resist any moves towards a second referendum - and it could be scuppered by Labour MPs from pro-Leave seats.
The new Independent Group is widely seen as an anti-Brexit movement - with the main policy connecting its 11 MPs being a second referendum.
Rebel Labour MP accused of hacking in to party computers
ONE of the Labour rebels faces an official probe over claims she stole data from the party.
Joan Ryan is accused of wrongly accessing Labour's computer systems to try and contact party members after she resigned.
Party bosses have now reported her to the Information Commissioner's Office for a full investigation.
Ms Ryan, who quit on Tuesday night to join the Independent Group, denies any wrongdoing.
She told the Guardian: "Neither I nor my office have accessed or used any Labour party data since I resigned the Labour whip and my membership of the Labour party."
A Labour spokesman said: "The Labour party became aware of attempts to access personal data held on the party’s systems for unauthorised use.
"Personal data the party holds about individuals is protected by law, under the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018."
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Today Vince Cable of the Europhile Lib Dems suggested forming an electoral pact with the group.
He suggested his party wouldn't stand candidates against the Independent Group in a future by-election.
Ian Austin this morning became the ninth Labour MP to quit in protest against Mr Corbyn - but he won't join the Independent Group because he disagrees with their stance on Brexit.
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