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Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has backed Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit indecision amid a party split - despite stating Labour cannot get a better deal than Remain.

Mr McDonnell, speaking ahead of a speech at Labour’s party conference in Brighton at midday, said he believes the leader’s stance is “logical”.

He said it felt like a “logical process” to try to win an election before negotiating a deal and then putting that plan - and the option of Remain - to the public in a referendum.

“The key issue here is let the people decide,” Mr McDonnell told the BBC.

“Make sure we have a sensible deal negotiated with the EU and then let the people decide.”

But Mr McDonnell also said he would support and campaign for Remain.

He said: “I can’t see we can get a better deal than Remain and I would campaign for Remain. But others have said they think they can get a deal that would be acceptable to the people - and that’s democracy.”

He also suggested he still feels Labour can secure a deal of some support, despite the EU’s resistance in negotiations with the current Government.

“The EU will not want a bad deal even if the people in this country vote [in a second referendum] for Leave.”

His comments come with Mr Corbyn set to face a showdown with Labour members over Brexit policy as grassroots activists are to call for the party to back remaining in the European Union.

In opposition with Mr Corbyn’s neutral position, activists in Brighton will vote on whether the party should campaign to stay in the European Union even if that means rejecting a deal a Labour government has negotiated with the EU.

Deputy leader Tom Watson has controversially clashed with Mr Corbyn on his Brexit stance, becoming one of the high profile shadow minister's to push for Remain.