18:58

Tim Farron has said he would campaign to remain in the EU in any second referendum, regardless of any deal secured by the UK with Brussels.

Challenged by Andrew Neil in a tetchy BBC interview on Thursday, the Liberal Democrat leader said his party would be unlikely to accept any outcome of the Brexit negotiations, despite having made a referendum on the final exit deal the cornerstone of its election campaign.

I cannot see any chance of us getting a better deal than the one we have now. In a democracy it’s right to stand by your principles isn’t it? I will campaign in that referendum on the basis of what’s best for Britain. My view is I cannot see how Theresa May will be able to get a deal better than the one we currently have.

Neil also attacked Farron for describing himself as “a bit of Eurosceptic” during a campaign event in leave-leaning Cornwall and as “remoaner of the year” on leaflets in remain-supporting south London. “So you’re a Eurosceptic remoaner. How does that work out?” Neil asked. Farron said:

I’m passionate about the European ideal. I’m often critical of things the commission does, just as I’m critical of things the British government does. If people cast insults at you it’s quite good to own them if you possibly can. I’m sure you do it from time to time. There can be nothing more honest than leading a party supporting Britain’s place in Europe, and we have since 1955.