Jeremy Corbyn said that his party would support a general election if no-deal is taken off the table

Jeremy Corbyn was under intense pressure from Labour MPs last night, including most of the shadow cabinet, to reject Boris Johnson’s offer of a general election.

Nick Brown, the chief whip, warned that the parliamentary Labour Party was united in opposing the December 12 poll immediately after the offer was made to the Commons. Mr Corbyn was told that he risked outright rebellion if he failed to reject it publicly as soon as possible.

In a formulation that kept the leader’s options open, Valerie Vaz, shadow leader of the Commons, said that Labour would back an election once no deal had been ruled out “if the [Brexit] extension allows”.

Straight afterwards Mr Corbyn met some shadow cabinet ministers and key advisers. Labour MPs thought —