Labour frontbenchers set to resign so they can defy Jeremy Corbyn and vote against triggering Article 50 as Supreme Court case outcome looms
Tulip Siddiq said she would consider stepping down so she could vote against triggering Article 50 in a possible Brexit Bill
SHADOW frontbenchers are considering resigning their positions in order to defy Jeremy Corbyn and vote against triggering Article 50.
Scores of Labour MPs are set to defy the leader and vote against the triggering of Article 50 if a vote is called - because their constituents voted to Remain.
Up to half of the capital's Labour MPs are said to be considering voting against a motion to trigger Article 50 the Standard reported today.
Tulip Siddiq, has said she would consider resigning her position in Jeremy Corbyn's team if he continues to push for a hard Brexit.
"Three quarters of my constituents voted to Remain and I will stand up for them," the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn said.
The Shadow Minister for early years went on: "If it means stepping down from the front bench then that would be unfortunate - but it's something which I've considered."
Other Shadow Ministers including Dawn Butler, Catherine West and Clive Lewis have also said they will oppose Article 50.
A three-line whip normally applies to major events and very significant bills. Defying this would mean Mr Corbyn would be forced to fire his Shadow Cabinet for not backing him - or they would stand down beforehand.
Shadow Education Minister Rushanara Ali resigned under Ed Miliband's leadership after abstaining on a vote on military action in Iraq.
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The Labour leader is under pressure after two of his MPs formally resigned from the Commons today - triggering byelections in Stoke on Trent and Copeland.
MP Jamie Reed resigned at the end of last year to work in the nuclear industry, and former frontbencher Tristram Hunt stepped down to become the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
And last night the Shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman said Labour MPs were stuck in a "very difficult position" as the party has "supporters, members, voters, on both sides of this debate".
She added that it would be "a big ask" and "very difficult for colleagues who have seats that voted strongly to Remain";.
But yesterday he refused to say whether he would force his MPs to back Brexit amid fears that MPs in Remain backing areas were afraid of the backlash if they supported triggering Brexit.
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.
A decision is expected tomorrow morning, which could see a Bill have to be put forward in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
London MPs Mike Gapes, Helen Hayes and David Lammy are among the group who have said they will defy the result of the referendum and vote against starting Brexit talks.