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Labour would campaign to Remain in a second referendum Emily Thornberry has confirmed.

The party signalled a major shift in its Brexit policy saying it will "put forward or support" an amendment "in favour" of a so-called People's Vote.

The shadow foreign secretary said: "We either get our policy through or anything else goes through to a public vote."

And asked how the party would campaign, she told Channel 4 News: "If it's a choice between that and a disastrous Tory Brexit , we will be campaigning to remain, because that's all we can do."

It is still unclear exactly what form the party's backing for a second referendum would take and what conditions could be put on it.

(Image: Getty Images)

A prominent Labour MP said it will only happen next month, when MPs vote on Theresa May's final Brexit deal.

But it's being seen as a major step forward by Remainers in the party after months of lobbying the leadership - which previously only had a public vote as an "option on the table".

It also comes a week after eight MPs defected to the new Independent Group over Mr Corbyn's failure to stop Brexit.

Sources close to Jeremy Corbyn said the party would now rather back a second referendum than Theresa May's Brexit deal. MPs were also told 'Remain' would likely be on the ballot paper.

Former shadow minister Clive Lewis, who is one of the left wing MPs calling for a second vote, called it a "hugely positive step".

He 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."