Nearly 90 Labour MPs and MEPs demand party backs a second referendum

A group of 89 pro-Remain Labour MPs and MEPs have written a letter urging the party to back a second EU referendum.

The letter, signed by 75 MPs and 14 MEPs, asks the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) to get behind a People's Vote on any Brexit deal in its European manifesto.

They called for 'a message of hope and solidarity' to counter Nigel Farage's Brexit Party.

The letter states: 'Labour has already, rightly, backed a confirmatory public vote.

'The overwhelming majority of our members and voters support this, and it is the democratically established policy of the party.

'We need a message of hope and solidarity, and we need to campaign for it without caveats.'

Labour leaders are rumoured to be redrafting an election campaign leaflet after a leaked version made no mention of a second referendum but spoke of 'a better deal with Europe'.

The leaflet was widely interpreted as pro-Brexit, and contrary to the party's decision to keep a second referendum on the table if its six tests of an acceptable Brexit were not met.

The Love Socialism, Hate Brexit group of MPs have spoken out in the letter ahead of a key party meeting on Tuesday.

'To motivate our supporters, and to do the right thing by our members and our policy, a clear commitment to a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal must be part of our European election manifesto,' the letter states.

Polls show the overwhelming majority of Labour's members, supporters and potential voters want a public vote on any Brexit deal with an option to Remain, the group said.