Jeremy Corbyn forced to deny rumours he will step down as Labour leader over Brexit shambles and dire poll ratings

JEREMY Corbyn has been forced to deny he is on the verge of quitting over dire poll ratings and his party’s Brexit shambles as fresh rumours hit fever pitch.

Allies of the Labour leader moved to scotch suggestions he had named a date for his departure - branding the rumours “utter nonsense.”

A senior source said there was "no truth" to suggestions the hapless leftie had informed his inner circle of plans to resign.

Shadow Cabinet member Ian Lavery said: "There's not a grain of truth to the rumours about Jeremy Corbyn stepping down."

“Lots of gossip happens around this place, but we know from previous rumours that it's not always reliable."

But he is facing a rebellion over his decision to issue a three-line whip on his MPs to vote with the Government on tonight’s Brexit bill.

The legislation, which gives Theresa May the power to trigger the start of Britain's divorce talks with the European Union, is facing its final House of Commons hurdle tonight.

Senior shadow cabinet minister Clive Lewis indicated he has still not made his mind up whether to obey his leader’s edict to back the bill tonight.

He has previously said he would vote against it, potentially stopping the PM from triggering Article 50, unless the Government accepted a set of Labour amendments designed to safeguard against a "hard Brexit".

With Labour's amendments defeated last night, Mr Lewis - seen by many as a potential future leader - told the BBC this morning: "I've got to make a decision on how I vote. I'm going to make my mind up. I don't know - lot on my plate, lot on everyone's plate."

Some 47 pro-Remain Labour MPs defied the leadership to oppose the bill at second reading last week, with shadow environment secretary Rachael Maskell, shadow Wales secretary Jo Stevens and shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler, stepping down from Mr Corbyn's top team to do so.

At the third reading vote, expected around 8pm. all eyes will be on Mr Lewis, as well as on key Corbyn ally Diane Abbott.

The shadow home secretary was widely ridiculed for missing last week’s ballot with a migraine, which was dubbed as a bout of "Brexit flu", despite having been in Parliament just before it.