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Jeremy Corbyn has sacked Labour rebels who voted to block a second Brexit referendum.

The party leader ordered his MPs to abstain against an amendment calling for another EU vote – even though the party committed to supporting another poll.

But when the chance came to back “Amendment H” demanding a re-run vote in the Commons yesterday, Labour MPs were told not to take part.

The Commons crushed the bid by 334 votes to 85, majority 249.

A total of 25 Labour MPs defied the order and backed the amendment.

(Image: PA)

Another 18 Labour MPs voted against.

Shadow ministers Justin Madders, Yvonne Fovargue and Emma Lewell-Buck defied orders and voted against the move.

The trio were sacked five hours later by Mr Corbyn.

Whip Stephanie Peacock quit and voted against a vote re-run, saying: “It is with deep regret I tonight resigned from Labour’s front bench, because I believe we should respect the result of the 2016 vote to leave the European Union.”

Ruth Smeeth resigned as a ministerial aide.

The Labour leader said: “I would like to thank Yvonne, Emma, Ruth, Justin and Stephanie for their service while on the Labour frontbench.

(Image: Handout)

"I understand the difficulties MPs have felt representing the views of their constituents during this process.

"All of us across the House now have the opportunity to work together to find a solution to the crisis the government has plunged us into.

“Labour's alternative plan can unite people, however they voted in 2016.

"I look forward to continuing to work with them to secure a Labour government, end austerity and give real hope to the whole country."

The row ripped open Labour's own Brexit divide.

Rebel Neil Coyle, who supported a second referendum move, told the Mirror: “Labour members are fretting over the party’s failure to lead in seeking a new People’s Vote.

(Image: Sunday Sun)

“I am forced to break a whip for something that is supposed to be Labour Party policy but has not been backed today.

“There is little time left to win a new public vote. Next week Labour must back it wholeheartedly and with no more reservations.”

Labour’s decision fuelled fears among supporters that Mr Corbyn, who was accused of failing to campaign for Remain with any enthusiasm during the 2016 vote run-in, does not really want another referendum.

The move came after the official People’s Vote campaign claimed it was not the right time to push for a re-run.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer told MPs: “Those pressing this amendment seem to be out of step with the vast majority of co-campaigners, campaigning for exactly the same push.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

“They may genuinely have a difference of opinion but we will not be supporting H tonight.”

Former Conservative minister Anna Soubry, a leading backer of a second referendum, shouted “shame on you” as the Labour frontbencher revealed the party would sit on its hands.

Accusing Labour of being “a fraud”, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “A shiver has run down the frontbench of the Labour Party looking for a spine to run up and it has not found one.”

But one pro-EU Labour backbencher who abstained said: “We are effectively boycotting the vote.

“It’s actually better if it’s massively rejected.”

A People’s Vote spokesman said it believed tabling the plan yesterday was premature.

A Best for Britain campaign spokesman said: “We believe bringing this issue before Parliament today will not truly test the will of the House for a public vote.”

The amendment was tabled by former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who quit the party last month to join the newly-formed Independent Group.

TIG sources were scathing about Labour’s failure to back a second referendum.

TIG wanted to pile pressure on the party to stick to its pledge to support another EU vote.

An insider accused the People’s Vote campaign of failing to support the move because of its closeness to the Labour leadership.

“There are very many within the main HQ who are very close to the Labour campaign and are wary about upsetting the internal Labour Party politics,” they fumed.

(Image: PA)

“It would be an absolute travesty if we get to the end of this process and Parliament had been too spineless to actually press an amendment.

“I fully expect the Labour Party to feel the heat and get round to backing it next week.”

The source insisted they did not see last night’s vote as a “one shot” and vowed to table further amendments next week.

“We absolutely refute this idea that it is one shot. We will be bringing it every opportunity now,” they said.

“I am under no illusion, without unequivocal Labour Party support it cannot pass.”