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Did John McDonnell just say that Brexit WILL happen?

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell on ITV's Peston programme (Photograph: ITV) - Credit: Archant

John McDonnell appeared to utter that Brexit WILL happen in response to comments made by a backbench Labour MP on ITV’s Peston programme.

McDonnell was responding to Chuka Umunna who was talking about the Budget and earmarked funds for public services and welfare benefits when Umunna claimed that it would all depend on ‘whether Brexit actually happens.’

The shadow chancellor repeatedly responded that ‘it will’ in response.

MORE: Sunday Times accused of hiding People’s Vote poll

While some believed it to be in agreement with the Remainer that it meant funding would be dependent on the possibility of a series of events, others took this to be an admission that McDonnell was determined to make sure Brexit happens.

Twitter user Matthew Green said: ‘It couldn’t be clearer: McDonnell and Corbyn want to make Brexit happen. There’s a substantial number of Labour MPs who now back a People’s Vote referendum… They must be wondering why they should stay in the Labour party.’

MORE: Brian May: ‘Brexit is the stupidest thing we ever tried to do’

At Labour Party conference John McDonnell claimed that an option to Remain wouldn’t be on a People’s Vote ballot if his party were in charge – comments dismissed by shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer.

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