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Labour has been "forced" into backing a second referendum due to Theresa May's floundering Brexit negotiations, according to shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

Mr McDonnell said Labour still wished to pursue its vision of a deal with the EU but could not back Mrs May's plans or a hard Brexit.

"We said we would respect the referendum but we also said we wouldn't allow Theresa May to take us out of Europe with a reckless deal and we would not support no-deal," said Mr McDonnell in an interview with Sky's Ridge on Sunday.

"We've been forced into this by Theresa May delaying running down the clock and not coming up with a compromise we can all support."

He said a no-deal scenario would be "catastrophic" while also saying he felt Labour's plans could reach an agreeable compromise with the EU.

A second referendum is "not what we want" Mr McDonnell added but explained he felt it could help to move pass the current impasse.

Speaking from west London, he said the defection of MPs to the Independent Group had not impacted the decision to back a second referendum.

When asked about previous comments he made that Labour should not back a second referendum, he reiterated his feeling the party was pushed into it.

Mr McDonnell has said there could be a whip on a vote on a second referendum but stated MPs will have to listen to their own constituents.

Mr McDonnell, also hinted he could attend the People's Vote campaign march later this month, and said: "Well, I'll think about it certainly, I'm not one to miss a good march.

"I also have to say as well I don't want to do anything or say anything that disrespects the people who strongly, in my own constituency and elsewhere, who supported Leave and I don't want to do anything that offends them."

Following Mr McDonnell's interview, Labour's Caroline Flint said she believes up to 70 of her fellow party MPs are against a second referendum.

Ms Flint told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "My appeal to John McDonnell, to Jeremy Corbyn, to Keir Starmer, is allow MPs to have a free vote on an improved deal.

"So those MPs who want a second referendum can vote for that but those of us who want to keep our promises to our electorate can also keep faith with those people and vote for an improved deal."

"I think there is something like 60 or 70 Labour MPs who feel as strongly as I do against a second referendum, but also I think it's important to recognise that many of those MPs also feel that we have to move on, we have to stop a no-deal and if there's an improved offer on the table, then Labour should engage with that sincerely."

These latest comments come after EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier hinted at a two-month extension of Article 50.

Mr McDonnell said he felt Britain would have to be "forced" into that as an option and even said it was worse than the PM's deal.

Mr Barnier said he does not believe there is enough time to approve Mrs May’s deal by the scheduled exit date of March 29, stating a "technical extension" of up to two months may be needed.

Mrs May has told MPs they will have a "meaningful vote" on her withdrawal plans by March 12.

However, when asked if he thought it was possible to reach an agreement by March 29 even if Westminster backed a deal Mr Barnier told Spain's El Mundo newspaper: "No."

The PM previously said if her deal is rejected by Parliament, MPs will be able to vote on whether the UK can leave the EU in a no-deal scenario.

If that is rejected the Commons will then be allowed to decide on whether to request an extension of Article 50 to delay Brexit for a limited period.