Brexit news latest: Bitter Labour infighting continues as 89 MPs and MEPs make second referendum demand following election leaflet fallout

Bitter Labour infighting over its controversial European elections leaflet continued today as 89 MPs and MEPs called on the party to back a second Brexit referendum.

Yet another Brexit row erupted in Jeremy Corbyn’s party after a draft election leaflet was found to contain no mention of a second vote.

It has prompted the MPs and MEPs – which include shadow Treasury ministers Clive Lewis and Anneliese Dodds – to put their names to a letter demanding that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) commits to a public vote during a meeting next week in which the manifesto will be decided.

Richard Corbett, leader of Labour’s MEPs and a member of the NEC, told BBC Radio 4’s Today on Saturday: “The problem we face now is that Brexit is turning out to be so different from what was promised three years ago.

“Remember they said it would be easy – it’s turning out to be rather complex. They said it would save loads of money that would all go to the NHS – it’s turning out to be costly.

“They said it would not damage the economy – we are seeing firms move abroad, jobs lost, especially in manufacturing.

“Because it’s so different, it’s right that it should go back to the people for a final sign-off.”

Polls have shown a majority of Labour members back a second referendum on Brexit.

But the issue is hugely divisive in the party hierarchy, with fears it would wreck the party’s election chances in Brexit-voting former industrial heartlands.