Tom Watson has told Jeremy Corbyn to stop being “mealy-mouthed” on Brexit and back a second referendum in an unprecedented personal attack on the Labour leader.

Mr Watson said the party could no longer “sit on the fence” in comments designed to pressure Mr Corbyn into demanding a second public vote as the price of support for any compromise deal done with the Government.

Labour needed to formally support a second referendum to respond to the electoral threat of Nigel Farage and The Brexit Party, he said.

Mr Watson, the deputy Labour leader, insisted a “confirmatory" referendum on any deal was "the very least" that voters should expect.

However, Mr Corbyn is only in favour of holding a second referendum to stop a “damaging Tory Brexit” or prevent a no-deal divorce - not in all circumstances.

The timing of Mr Watson’s latest intervention is key as it comes as talks with the Government enter a crucial phase.

Writing in the Observer, Mr Watson said: "Labour won't defeat Farage by being mealy-mouthed and sounding as if we half agree with him.