Published: 8:36 AM July 22, 2018 Updated: 6:16 PM September 17, 2020

A petition of members of left-wing pressure group Momentum is nearing a key milestone.

Almost 4,000 members of the group – formed to back Jeremy Corbyn's leadership bid and now one of the most powerful voices within the Labour party – have now backed a policy change to support a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal.

As it stands Corbyn has refused to back a second vote.

But the petition, organised by Tower Hamlets activist Alena Ivanova, could spark a ballot of all Momentum members. When 4,000 signatures is reached rules appear to suggest a full ballot will be required.

Organisers claim: 'We deplore the persistent attacks of the right-wing of the Labour party and their attempts to weaponise the issue of Brexit against our party leadership.

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'But we are equally opposed to the Tory Brexit now on offer. It is a disaster for working class people, public services, peace in Ireland, migrants, the environment, human rights, jobs and our children's futures – the complete opposite of everything a socialist government would do.

'The so-called soft Brexit being pushed by neo-liberal 'centrists' is hardly better: it threatens to turn us into a vassal state of Europe, making us rule takers not rule makers.'

One Labour source said: 'This could prove tricky for Jeremy. A significant shift from Momentum would certainly put pressure on him to back a People's Vote. If this is debated at conference I think we really could see a change in direction.'