The former foreign secretary, who is herself campaigning for a second referendum, explained that it is Mr Corbyn’s closest allies who are not allowing him to budge on Brexit – and that they would even be prepared to allow for a no deal withdrawal. Dame Beckett told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: “I don’t get the impression that it’s Jeremy himself who is the stumbling block. There are people very close with great influence on him who are passionately opposed to it.

I don’t get the impression that Jeremy himself is the stumbling block

Margaret Beckett

“And he wants to keep the party together as much as possible.

“Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more as if some of the people who he wants to accept the majority view are not just expressing reservations but actually are completely opposed.

“And I’m beginning to think some of them do actually want Britain to leave the EU no matter what.

“And they don’t give a toss about what the British people now want or Labour Party members think is in the country’s interest.

“They’re just determined to make sure we don’t do anything to impede Britain leaving – if necessary, with no deal.”

She declined to say which advisers and Labour figures she was talking about.

Shadow cabinet ministers had been expecting Labour’s position to move to full backing for a remain position in a second referendum at a meeting on Tuesday.

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have “no grip on reality”, according to Jeremy Corbyn as he rubbished their plans for Brexit.

The Labour leader tore in to the two MPs hoping to succeed Theresa May as Conservative Party leader, while also warning they have no mandate to “force a disastrous hard-right Brexit” on the country.

He added that Labour will work to block a no-deal Brexit, before noting: “Whatever Brexit plan the new Tory leader comes up with, after three long years of failure, they should have the confidence to go back to the people and let them decide the future of this country.”

Mrs May said the EU member states have reiterated their desire to “avoid a disorderly Brexit” and committed to work “constructively” with her successor as prime minister.

She maintained no-deal Brexit preparations were continuing as it is the default legal option on October 31, before insisting she has “done everything” to avoid the UK leaving the EU without an agreement.

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