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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will not back a second referendum on leaving the European Union, his spokesman has announced.

It comes after both he and shadow chancellor John McDonnell refused to rule out holding a second referendum on the campaign trail when questioned by reporters today.

Mr Corbyn launched his campaign this afternoon to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister in the upcoming General Election in June.

But he was questioned after his speech, during which he similarly dodged questions on whether a second referendum should be held.

A spokesman for the Labour leader confirmed this afternoon: “A second referendum is not our policy and it won’t be in our manifesto.”

He had said: "Primarily, it’s about getting and retaining tariff-free access to the European market.

“We haven’t threatened to turn Britain into an offshore tax haven on the shores of Europe, undermining the European economy.”

The Labour leader made the comments after an impassioned speech during which he vowed to "overturn the rigged system" and put power back in the hands of "the people".

MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of holding a snap election in the Commons yesterday, with the Prime Minister announcing her decision to hold an election outside Downing Street on Tuesday.

Mrs May said divisions in Westminster made it impossible to negotiate Britain's EU exit.

The Conservatives are hoping that their double digit lead in the polls will help increase their slim majority in the Commons ahead of the negotiations.