Labour was in Brexit chaos again on Wednesday after Jeremy Corbyn guaranteed access to the single market and Tom Watson claimed the party has not ruled out a second referendum.

In his keynote address to the party's annual conference in Brighton, Mr Corbyn said Labour would "guarantee unimpeded access to the single market" after leaving the union following the transition period.

But in a subsequent briefing aides of the leader appeared to play down the remarks, first claiming the promise applied only in the two years between leaving and a new deal, then suggesting Mr Corbyn has always backed continued membership of the market.

It matters because Labour has so far attempted to straddle a fine line with its Brexit position for fear of splitting supporters who back freedom of movement and those who want tighter immigration controls which would be hampered by single market membership.

In order to achieve unimpeded access experts believe the UK would have to accept the rule of the European Court of Justice and the free movement of people, both elements of the deal Mr Corbyn has refused to accept in the past.

Speaking in Brighton he said: "Labour is the only party that can bring together those who voted leave and those who backed remain and unite the country for a future beyond Brexit."