The Labour party could campaign for Britain to rejoin the European Union if Jess Phillips is elected leader, the MP indicated on Sunday.

In preparation for the Labour leadership race, which is expected to officially begin on Tuesday, Ms Phillips distanced herself from the other candidates by telling members she will not accept Brexit even after it happens.

The Birmingham MP said unless the UK was "living in a paradise of trade" and was "totally safe in the world" after Brexit, she would fight to get back into the Union.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show in her first major interview since announcing her candidacy for the party leadership, Ms Phillips said: "If we are living in a paradise of trade and we are totally safe in the world and are not having to constantly look to America for our security, then maybe I will be proven wrong.

"But the reality is if our country is safer, if it is more economically viable to be in the European Union, then I will fight for that, regardless of how difficult that argument is to make."

Pushed by Mr Marr to brand herself a "rejoiner", Ms Phillips said "we have to wait and see" and "look at what was going on at the time".