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Jeremy Corbyn has called on the government to step aside if it cannot deliver "something approaching an intelligent relationship with Europe" and has said that Labour is "ready" for a general election.

The Labour leader also criticised the Prime Minister for failing to clarify her approach to Brexit , before adding that he would vote against any deal that damages living standards, industry, trade or jobs.

When asked whether he and Mrs May could co-operate on a soft Brexit in the wake of the Chequers agreement, Mr Corbyn said: "She hasn't closed off any of the other options, because within three days of saying that, she goes to meet Donald Trump and then talks about trade arrangements with the USA.

"The USA does not want any European standard of regulation on products or workers' rights and working conditions, they want something very, very different.

"She is not making it very clear what she actually wants at all and the White Paper, I suspect, will unravel as quickly as the Chequers cabinet agreement did."

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Mr Corbyn added: "If the government cannot deliver something approaching an intelligent relationship with Europe in the future then quite honestly I think the issue is better dealt with by having a general election to elect a government that can and will both work for jobs and living standards in this country, and have an intelligent relationship with Europe."

Responding to Liam Fox's comments that protesters against US President Donald Trump were an "embarrassment to themselves", Mr Corbyn told the International Trade Secretary to "grow up".

Describing the remarks as "frankly embarrassing", the Labour leader said: "He lives in a democracy where people have a right to free speech, a right to demonstrate and a right to express themselves."

The Labour leader was speaking hours before he was due to address the Durham Miners' Gala, where he is expected to claim that children should learn about trade union and workers' rights in schools.

According to organisers, more than 150,000 people were expected to attend the Big Meeting, which features brass bands and pit banners.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Earlier, Mr Corbyn watched on from the balcony of the County Hotel as a parade took place below him, and he could be heard jokingly telling a supporter: "This year there will be a general election".

In his speech at the Old Racecourse, Mr Corbyn will say: "Children should not only learn about trade unions and their rights at work, but should be fully equipped to exercise and develop those rights.

"Schools need to teach these values and together we can, and will, transform society so it works for the many, not the few."

Mr Corbyn will also say: "We know that power in society, and in our workplaces, has become concentrated in the hands of a few, at the expense of everybody else.

"But history shows those at the top have never conceded anything, without it being demanded from people below - things we all enjoy but now take for granted, like weekends and paid holidays."