Labour is in chaos over Brexit as Jeremy Corbyn appeared to back down after telling MPs they would be forced to vote in favour of triggering Article 50.

The party descended deeper into a row over how to respond to the Prime Minister’s speech on leaving the EU after the Labour leader warned that all MPs would be expected to back the Government instead of taking a stand against leaving the EU.

But the decision came as one of Mr Corbyn’s most senior shadow cabinet allies publicly warned he will not vote for Article 50, while a further group of his most senior team threatened to do the same.