Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer calls for second referendum on any Boris Johnson Brexit deal ‘After years of failed promises, failed deals and Tory divisions, there is only one way out: put it to the people’

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has insisted a second Brexit referendum is needed to break the political deadlock.

He also warned Boris Johnson that Labour could take him to court if he pursues a no-deal Brexit and tries to get around a law that says he must ask the EU for more negotiating time.

The suggestion could cause friction with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has said a general election is needed to break the stalemate.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Sir Keir is the latest in a line of senior Labour figures promoting a second referendum that includes deputy leader Tom Watson, London mayor Sadiq Khan and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry.

On Sunday, Mr Corbyn said: “We’ll look at any deal that comes up before we trigger an election.”

‘Prevent a no-deal Brexit’

Speaking at the Co-operative Party conference in Glasgow, Sir Keir said: “Whatever it takes, we will prevent a no-deal Brexit, but of course we have to recognise, important though that is, preventing a no-deal Brexit is not an end in itself.

“It won’t break the deadlock, it won’t allow the country to move on. After three-and-a-half long years of failed promises, failed deals and Tory divisions, there is only one way out: put it to the people.

“We need to ask the public whether they are prepared to leave with the best deal that can be secured, or whether they wouldn’t rather remain in the EU. The people must have the final say. It is only by asking the people that we can draw a line under this.”

‘No ifs, no buts’

Sir Keir added: “If Boris Johnson does manage to negotiate a deal then we will insist that it is put back to the people in a confirmatory vote.”

Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, has called on Mr Corbyn to opt for a second referendum before a general election.

He says he wants the Brexit vote to be separate from a general election where issues like the NHS, policing and the environment also come into play.

Tom Watson, the party’s deputy leader, and Emily Thornberry, have also revealed concerns about an election before Brexit was settled.

Additional reporting from Press Association.