Brexit-backing Labour MPs to defy Jeremy Corbyn as they vow to support EU Withdrawal Bill
One Labour MP believes as many as 20 of the opposition party's MPs are set to rebel against orders to vote against the Brexit Bill
FURIOUS Brexit-backing Labour MPs vowed to defy Jeremy Corbyn's new order to vote down the Brexit Bill next week.
The party were branded “irresponsible” for ordering their MPs to vote against the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Labour claimed the vital Bill - which will put existing EU laws into British law as part of the Brexit process - would “let Government ministers grab powers from parliament to slash people’s rights at work and reduce protection for consumers and the environment.”
Veteran ex-minister Frank Field said: "Naturally, I’ll be voting for the bill of course.
“I haven't seen the Chief Whip yet. But you can't expect those of us who voted and campaigned for Leave not to vote for the Bill.
"I think it is proper for people to follow what they think is the right line and we will all be doing that I hope. So I shall be voting for the Bill."
One Labour MP, who did not want to be named, told The Sun that Labour MPs were plotting a rebellion.
They said: “I don’t know how it is going to pan out. But you have a lot of Labour MPs in very heavy Leave seats.
“At the moment it is too early to say how big the rebellion is going to be as discussions have only just begun.
“But I think there will be a rebellion probably of at least 20 MPs. That will probably be the case - but that number could obviously change.”
Brexit Secretary David Davis yesterday accused Labour of "betraying their own voters.”
Speaking in the Chamber, he added: "They voted for it, they want us to leave, and they'd better deliver on it."
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He also claimed the opposition's current Brexit policy is their tenth different position on the key issue.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “I'm very sorry to see the Labour Party behaving in a way that's irresponsible.”
Veteran Tory Eurosceptic Bill Cash added: "They have now moved from being Remainers to Reversers."
Tory MP Luke Hall MP described Labour's position as "reckless".
Fellow Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns added: "I hope Labour MPs will reflect on the wishes of their constituents, recognise that the referendum result must be respected and vote for the Bill at second reading.
The Lib Dems also revealed their own plans to table a “reasoned amendment” to the Bill, which would also have the effect of killing it.
Leader Sir Vince Cable is in talks with soft Brexit Tory MPs to force the Government to modify it.
On Sunday, Brexit Secretary Mr Davis accused the Labour Party’s Brexit policy of only being motivated by “chaos”.
The SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon restated her opposition to the EU Withdrawal Bill, branding it as "power grab" and "simply unacceptable".
The giant Bill will be debated on Thursday and MPs will vote on Monday.