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Jeremy Corbyn refused to take part in crucial Brexit talks between opposition parties and Theresa May because breakaway Independent Group MPs were present, Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said.

The Labour leader is reported to have left at the start of the meeting because TIG MP Chuka Umunna, who defected from Labour, was present and allegedly said he is “not a real party leader.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince described it as “a very strange way to behave in a moment of national crisis."

“We were just going round in circles, very courteously and friendly but no change," Sir Vince said of the meeting with opposition leaders and Theresa May after she asked the EU to allow Brexit to be delayed until June 30.

"Unfortunately it wasn't even the opposition leaders because Mr Corbyn chose to walk out because the Independent Group were there which is rather a strange way to behave in a moment of national crisis.

"Those of us that stayed behind had a friendly, amicable discussion but I'm afraid it was exactly the same as it was stated in Parliament this morning with no indication of listening or responding in any flexible way."

Mr Umunna, spokesman for The Independent Group, tweeted a clip of him speaking on Sky News describing Mr Corbyn's refusal to engage in talks as "extraordinary" and "very juvenile".

He said the country is in "a crisis situation" and the people of the UK expect conflicting political groups to "come together" to find a way forward.

"That's why the Prime Minister convened the meeting and I welcome the fact she did so," he said.

"I think it's really extraordinary behaviour for the Leader of the Opposition to behave in really this kind of very juvenile way when the moment demands that we all step up and engage in some serious dialogue to find our way through this chaos and this mess.

"But he will have to explain his actions."

MP Chris Leslie, a member of the Independent Group, described Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to engage in talks as "astonishing" and "petty".

He tweeted: "Astonishing. Yet again @jeremycorbyn puts petty party politics before the national interest."

SNP MP Stewart McDonald has told Jeremy Corbyn to "get a grip" after his refusal to engage in talks with the Independent Group present.

He tweeted: "I mean honestly, nine days until the country he wants to be Prime Minister of leaves the EU and @jeremycorbyn has gone full 'you can't sit with us'.

"This isn't Mean Girls. Get a grip of your life, man!"

Hours earlier, at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Corbyn said:"In an effort to break the deadlock, I've held meetings with members all across the house, and I'm having further meetings today, to find a compromise that supports jobs and living standards.

"Mr Speaker this is a national crisis. Will the Prime Minister meet me today to discuss our proposals as a way forward to get out of this crisis?"