Jeremy Corbyn refuses to say he will force his MPs to back Brexit amid threats of rebellion by Labour backbenchers
Leader said he would 'ask' his colleagues to respect the result of the EU referendum and back triggering of Article 50
JEREMY Corbyn again refused to say whether he will force his MPs to back Brexit amid threats of a rebellion by Labour backbenchers.
The leader is facing accusations his party is being "cannibalised" by Ukip and the Liberal Democrats, with two tricky by-elections coming up next month.
Mr Corbyn said he would "ask" Labour MPs to respect the result of the EU referendum and back the triggering of Article 50 to begin the formal Brexit process.
But asked if he would impose a full three-line whip on his MPs, compelling them to back it, Mr Corbyn told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "I will ask all Labour MPs to respect the result of the referendum and allow Article 50 to be opened so we start that two-year, probably longer, period of negotiation."
Prime Minister Theresa May could be forced to seek parliamentary approval for the formal step needed to start Brexit negotiations if the Government loses its Supreme Court appeal next week.
However the hapless Labour leader is facing a revolt, with suggestions that dozens of MPs in Remain-voting seats as well as peers could vote against triggering Article 50.
Mr Corbyn highlighted the difficulties Labour has with MPs representing both metropolitan Remain-voting constituencies and working class Brexit-backing areas.
He said the party will put down amendments to any legislation to pave the way for invoking Article 50 in an effort to get guarantees on issues like workers' rights, environmental protection and access to the single market.
But former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg criticised the "absolute lack of clarity" from the official Opposition.
"I think there's a very real prospect now of the fate that occurred to the Labour Party north of the border, in one shape or form, will now happen south of the border," the former Lib Dem leader told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show.
"I think the Labour Party is in danger of being cannibalised by Ukip at one end and the Liberal Democrats at the other.”
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer backed Mr Corbyn's assessment of the situation.
Asked on ITV's Peston on Sunday whether the leader would impose a three-line whip, he said: "That's not yet been determined.
"We're talking to colleagues, we don't know the outcome of the case. But I'm not going to pretend that this isn't difficult for the Labour Party.
“There are colleagues in the PLP (parliamentary Labour Party) who are very concerned, as I am, about the outcome of the referendum."
In response the Tories said Labour are “hopelessly divided and confused” over how to respond to the referendum result.
MP Maria Caulfield, a member of the Select Committee on Exiting the European Union, said: “They can't agree over whether we should leave the single market, can’t say whether they will have an agreed position in Parliament – and have said this morning they will also find new ways of frustrating the process of leaving.
“The Prime Minister has set out a plan to build a global Britain after exit and has been clear that Parliament will be properly engaged in the process and will vote on the final deal.
“Labour are flailing about, irrelevant, incompetent and completely out of touch with ordinary working people.”
Corbyn refuses to say if he would help Nato ally
JEREMY Corbyn refused to say if he would deploy British troops to defend a Nato ally invaded by Russia.
The Labour leader said he was "not in favour of anybody invading anywhere" and would do everything he can to de-escalate tensions with Russia now.
It comes amid heightened concerns over Russian aggression and the future of Nato after President Donald Trump complained the United States has "subsidised the armies of other countries" and "defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own".
Under the mutual defence pact, an invasion of a Baltic member of the alliance would be seen as an attack on all members.
Asked if he would deploy UK troops to uphold the pact in the event of a Russian incursion, Mr Corbyn told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "I would want us to try and de-escalate the tensions as of now.
"And there are some signs that could happen.
"That means building up a positive relationship with Russia - Nato-Russia talks are important, EU-Russia talks are important.
"And on that, include issues of human rights and justice in Russia, include removal of troops away from the border."
Asked again if he would commit troops, Mr Corbyn said: "It's a hypothetical question.
"I'm not in favour of anybody invading anywhere else and I would do everything I could to bring about a situation where there are reasonable, productive relationships between all countries so we don't end up in a situation where lives are put at risk and people's liberties are at risk as well."