Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in London today) tonight backed a second referendum on Brexit warning it was better than the 'damaging' Tory deal

Jeremy Corbyn tonight backed a second referendum on Brexit warning it was better than the 'damaging' Tory deal.

The Labour leader has bowed to months of pressure from activists and many of his MPs and promised to back a public vote in the Commons on Wednesday.

Mr Corbyn will order his MPs to first vote in favour of Labour's version of Brexit based on a permanent customs union with the EU.

But if that is lost - and it will be - Labour will then vote in favour of blocking a no deal Brexit and a second referendum as ways to block Mrs May's deal.

Labour will either support an referendum plan by a backbench MP or Mr Corbyn will table his own - meaning the terms of any vote backed by Labour remain unclear.

The party will finalise its tactics on Wednesday, MailOnline understands, but will face acute pressure for Remain to be an option on the ballot paper.

Mr Corbyn will hope tonight's dramatic move will stop any more MPs quitting to join the new Independent Group of MPs.

Mr Corbyn's surprise shift makes a new referendum on Brexit much more likely - but far from certain as dozens of Labour MPs representing Leave areas oppose the idea.

Meanwhile, Mrs May has secretly promised Remain rebels in the Government they will be able to vote against no deal in two weeks' time.

The Prime Minister - who in public today defied EU calls to accept delaying Brexit was the 'rational solution - is battling to stave off a Cabinet revolt on Wednesday.

Mrs May has admitted a new vote on her deal could now come as late as March 12 as she scrambles to get new concessions on the Irish border backstop.

The Premier has repeatedly ruled out calling a new referendum on Brexit.

Cheeky Nandos: The Independent Group tweeted a picture of the rebel MPs putting their heads together in response to a Channel 4 Gogglebox message asking 'who would you have for dinner?'

Labour leader Mr Corbyn will hope the dramatic move will stop any more MPs quitting to join the new Independent Group of MPs (pictured today at their first meeting)

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said Labour would back a referendum if its plan for Brexit was rejected by MPs on Wednesday night - something almost certain to happen

Mr Corbyn told Labour MPs: 'The Prime Minister is recklessly running down the clock, in an attempt to force MPs to choose between her botched deal and a disastrous No Deal we cannot and will not accept.

Labour uncertainty and u-turns over Brexit Labour's Brexit stance has undergone so many changes it can be difficult to keep track. Even during the referendum in 2016 Jeremy Corbyn was accused of half-hearted campaigning and hedging his bets - admitting he was only '7 out of 10' in favour of Remain. Since then the leadership has been trying to maintain 'constructive ambiguity' so it can keep hold of heartland voters who often back Brexit - without alienating the party's largely Remainer members and MPs. The 2017 Labour manifesto promised that Labour accepted the result of the referendum and obtain a deal that 'works for every community in Britain' It also said it would have 'fresh negotiating priorities that have a strong emphasis on retaining the benefits of the Single Market and the Customs Union.' But shortly after the election on June 11, 2017, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told ITV: ‘Let’s be clear: we are respecting the decision of the referendum. We are democrats. I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum.’ This was swiftly followed by Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer a week later in June of that year who said Labour wanted to 'retain the benefits of the single market and the customs union. Formal membership, full membership is only available to EU member states.’ In late June three shadow ministers were sacked by Mr Corbyn and a fourth resigned after they and 45 other Labour MPs defied the party and backed a Queen’s Speech amendment calling for Britain to remain in the single market and customs union. However, the following September Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said single market membership was possible 'if the European Union wanted to talk about reform of freedom of movement rules'. Jeremy Corbyn has also faced similar divisions in his own party as Theresa May has in hers Numerous backbenchers have said they want to see a second referendum on a Brexit deal. By conference 2018 internal debate over a second referendum prompted more than 150 different motions on the issue. Labour delegates approved a motion that would keep all options - including a new referendum - if a Brexit deadlock occurred. Senior Labour figures have even been split on what any second referendum should mean - with some, such as Len McCluskey and John McDonnell insisting remaining in the EU cannot be on the ballot - but Sir Keir Starmer has said the motion means it could be. Mr Corbyn will hope the dramatic shift will stop any more MPs quitting to join the new pro-Remain Independent Group of MPs. Advertisement

'Last week, after our visit to talk to EU officials and leaders in Brussels and Madrid, no one can be in any doubt Labour's alternative Brexit plan is serious and credible.'

He added: 'We will also be backing the Cooper-Letwin amendment to rule out a No Deal outcome.

'One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent No Deal and oppose a damaging Tory Brexit based on Theresa May's overwhelmingly rejected deal.

'That's why, in line with our conference policy, we are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country.'

Labour's Brexit plan involves a permanent customs union with the EU, which would rule out the UK signing its own trade deals.

It also calls for close alignment with EU single market rules, matching standards on workers and the environment, and a security deal.

Theresa May has refused to accept the Labour plan - insisting it compromises the referendum result - but it has been backed in Brussels as a possible escape route.

Labour MP David Lammy, who backs a new referendum, said: 'It is welcome news that the Labour Party is now, at long last, signalling it will accept the principle of giving the public the final say on Brexit.

'Even if MPs can agree some sort of deal, it would be wrong to force it on the British people when we now know so many of the promises made in 2016 have been broken and any deal will be worse than the one we've already got inside the EU.

'These are dangerous times for the Labour Party and our country. Jeremy Corbyn is today taking the first step to reunite our party by showing he is listening to our voters and members on this, the biggest issue of our time.

'But it is also crucial when food prices are already rising and car manufacturers are scrapping investment that we provide the clarity needed to plan for the future.'

Labour MP Clive Lewis, who backs the Best for Britain campaign, said: 'With this announcement we're now offering real and unambiguous opposition to Tory Brexit and giving the public the final say on the issue.

'To my mind we would never have been forgiven for facilitating Tory Brexit.'

MP Rachael Maskell added: 'Labour voters and members across the country are clear that they didn't vote for the mess Brexit has got us into.

'Labour must fight to rebuild Britain, and do so by working with European partners across the continent to reject the isolationist, divisive path the Tories have taken our communities on over recent years.'

Pressure has been mounting on Mr Corbyn to back a new referendum on Brexit after he tried and failed to collapse the Government last month.

Theresa May has refused to accept the Labour plan - insisting it compromises the referendum result - but it has been backed in Brussels as a possible escape route

What is Labour's new position? Jeremy Corbyn made a significant shift toward a new referendum on Brexit tonight ahead of more Commons votes on Brexit. Labour will first vote in favour of its own Brexit plan. This will be defeated because it will get no Tory support. Next, Labour will vote for a plan tabled by Yvette Cooper and Oliver Letwin to change the law to try and block no deal. A similar plan was defeated last month despite Labour backing it. It will then vote for a plan supporting a second referendum for the first time. Labour has not made clear the exact terms it will vote for - but has said a public vote is better than passing Mrs May's deal. Mr Corbyn will face pressure to spell out whether Remain should be on the ballot paper. Advertisement

The defection of eight of his MPs to the new Independent Group last week made it even more unlikely he could win a new confidence vote to force an election.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson added to pressure yesterday by threatening to unilaterally back the People's Vote campaign yesterday.

Asked yesterday if he was about to join the clamour for a vote, Mr Watson told Marr: 'If Theresa May can't find it within herself to meet our red lines, closer economic union, then obviously our conference policy says that the next stage would be in favour of a people's vote.

'So if we get to that point, then yes, I will be on the march.'

Meanwhile, Mrs May has secretly promised Remain rebels in the Government they will be able to vote against no deal in two weeks' time.

The Prime Minister - who in public today defied EU calls to accept delaying Brexit was the 'rational solution - is battling to stave off a Cabinet revolt on Wednesday.

Mrs May has admitted a new vote on her deal could now come as late as March 12 as she scrambles to get new concessions on the Irish border backstop.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured on Marr yesterday) added to pressure yesterday by threatening to unilaterally back the People's Vote campaign yesterday

Theresa May said it was still 'in our grasp' to leave the EU on schedule despite Donald Tusk urging her to admit that delay was the 'rational solution'

Mrs May has been left pleading for Remainer ministers not to crash her strategy by joining efforts to force a Brexit delay in crunch votes on Wednesday

Senior ministers have threatened to defy orders and vote to take no deal off the table when MPs have a new debate and vote on the state of the negotiation.

Tom Watson makes direct challenge to Corbyn as he sets up his OWN group of moderate MPs Tom Watson issued a direct challenge to Jeremy Corbyn today as he set up his own group of moderate MPs inside Labour and called for evidence of anti-Semitism in the party to be sent directly to him. Labour's deputy leader has become the focus of resistance to Mr Corbyn after nine MPs quit the party over anti-Semitism to set up the new Independent Group. Mr Watson has moved to create a new group inside Labour to promote the 'social democrat' tradition represented by many MPs who do not endorse Mr Corbyn's far left-wing agenda. He warned today there was a 'crisis for the soul of the Labour Party' and insisted mainstream MPs who served Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had to have a say under Mr Corbyn's leadership. In a further escalation he emailed all of the party's MPs and peers today asking to be copied into any new anti-Semitism complaints sent to Labour's general secretary Jennie Formby. Mr Watson said his office would create its own system to track complaints in parallel with official investigations. The moves - which will infuriate left-wing allies of Mr Corbyn - come as the leader of Momentum admitted Labour has 'under-estimated' anti-Semitism in its ranks. Advertisement

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd is among ministers thought to be keen to back a plan from Labour's Yvette Cooper to block no deal on Wednesday.

In an effort to calm nerves Mrs May has privately said she would make time for a vote on a two-month Brexit delay in a fortnight the Standard reported.

It is deeply unclear whether the concession will be enough to avoid a humiliating revolt on Wednesday night.

Amid the bitter standoff, senior EU officials are believed to be preparing for a longer extension to the Article 50 process than the few months being mooted by Remainers.

The idea could see the UK stay a member for another 21 months to avoid a 'cliff edge' and give more time for a deal to be reached - or better preparations to be made for no deal.

At a press conference to close the EU-Arab League summit in Sharm El-Sheikh this afternoon, EU council chief Donald Tusk swiped that Mrs May was not yet ready to face facts about a delay.

'PM May still believes she is able to avoid the scenario,' he said. Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Juncker made clear the EU had no plans to sign off any revised deal before a gathering on March 21 - barely a week before the Brexit date.

Irish PM Leo Varadkar suggested a delay is more likely than no deal, and Dutch premier Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning against 'sleepwalking' into disaster.

But at her own press conference Mrs May said: 'It's in our grasp to leave with a deal on the 29th of March and that is where all my energies are going to be focused.'

There are few signs that Mrs May can hold back the rebellion, after ministers openly threatened to defy her, warning that the 'dam is breaking'.

Theresa May (left) has a breakfast meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) at the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Amid a bitter standoff the PM has admitted a final vote on her Brexit plan could be delayed until just 17 days before the EU exit date

The issue of postponing Brexit came up 'fleetingly' during the discussions between Mrs May and Mrs Merkel this morning, according to Downing Street. But a spokesman said the PM simply repeated that she wanted the UK to leave with a deal on March 29.

Speaking at a press conference to close the summit, Mr Tusk said: 'Prime Minister May and I discussed yesterday a lot of issues including the legal and procedural context of a potential extension.

'For me it is absolutely clear that (if) there is no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, we will face an alternative - chaotic Brexit or extension. 'The less time there is until March 29, the greater the likelihood of an extension. 'This is an objective fact, not our intention, not our plan, but an objective fact.

'I believe that in the situation we are in an extension would be a rational solution, but Prime Minister May still believes she is able to avoid this scenario.

Ex-Tory MP threatens ministers over no-deal Brexit papers A Tory defector has threatened to launch contempt proceedings against ministers unless they release internal assessments about no-deal Brexit. Anna Soubry, who quit to join the Independent Group last week, withdrew a Commons amendment demanding publication of the Cabinet papers earlier this month after being assured that she would be given access to them. But she told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show that she had not yet seen them. Ms Soubry said: 'This minister, with the agreement of the Government, said 'We will give you these papers'. These papers are really, really important. 'What they show is an impartial, honest appraisal of the grave dangers to our country in trade and economic terms if we leave without a deal. We believe that the public have a right to see those papers.' She said: 'At the moment, I am putting my faith in good ministers who were promising that what I need will be delivered in time for Wednesday's debate. That's the critical thing, because it will inform MPs.' Advertisement

'I can assure you - and I did it also yesterday in my meeting with Prime Minister May - that no matter which scenario will be, all the 27 will show maximum understanding and goodwill.'

Mrs May said she had had 'good' meetings with EU leaders.

Asked why she was resisting a delay to Brexit, Mrs May said: 'An extension to Article 50, a delay in this process, doesn't deliver a decision in Parliament, it doesn't deliver a deal. All it does is precisely what the word 'delay' says.

'Any extension of Article 50 isn't addressing the issues.

'We have it within our grasp. I've had a real sense from the meetings I've had here and the conversations I've had in recent days that we can achieve that deal.

'It's within our grasp to leave with a deal on March 29 and that's where all of my energies are going to be focused.'

Overnight Mrs May said she was making progress in talks but not enough to hold a second 'meaningful vote' this week. Instead she set a new deadline of March 12 to win approval of a plan that suffered a shattering Commons defeat last month.

This means pro-Remain ministers will now have to decide whether to follow through with threats to defy Mrs May and vote for a backbench bid on Wednesday to postpone the Brexit date.

If the backbench motion is passed, Mrs May would have until March 13 to get her plan through Parliament or be forced to seek a delay in the process.

That would set up a showdown on March 12 when Eurosceptics could be asked to back a deal they dislike or face the possibility of Parliament forcing a postponement of Brexit the following day.