Tony Blair has refused to offer any evidence for his suggestion that that Britain could remain a member of a reformed European Union, after he was pressed to disclose the identities of those “within Europe” with whom he had had “conversations” that supported the claim.

The former Labour Prime Minister faced a furious backlash over the remarks from within his own party last night, with leader Jeremy Corbyn insisting, "We do recognise the results of the referendum of a year ago”.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said there was no desire to reopen the divisions over Brexit, and suggested Mr Blair appeared to be ignoring the view of the majority of the British public.