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Labour have pulled out of Brexit negotiations with the government.

For the last six weeks the party has been locked in talks with to see if they could agree a deal to get an amended version of Theresa May's Brexit deal over the line.

But, despite a face-to-face meeting between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May earlier this week the party have left talks.

Jeremy Corbyn said the Brexit compromise talks with the government have “gone as far as they can”

The Prime Minister has confirmed she will set a timetable for her departure in the first week of June – fuelling fears any pact struck with Labour would be torn up by her successor.

In a letter confirming he was pulling the plug, Mr Corbyn told the PM: “It has become clear that, while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.

"Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of your Government means there cannot be confidence in securing whatever might be agreed between us.”

He added: “As you have been setting out your decision to stand down and Cabinet ministers are competing to succeed you, the position of the government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded.

"Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the Cabinet.”

The move paves the way for a fourth a final, fatal defeat for Mrs May's hopes of forcing her Brexit deal through the Commons when MPs votes on the legislation early next month.

(Image: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror)

On Tuesday, Labour warned that Mrs May was unwilling to move on key issues - such as remaining in a customs union with the EU.

Jeremy Corbyn hinted at his frustration with the negotiations last week.

He said: “It is quite difficult to negotiate with a disintegrating government with cabinet ministers jockeying for the succession, rather than working for an agreement”

Labour's Hilary Benn, chairman of the Brexit Select Committee, said there was little point in continuing the cross-party talks with the Tories if they were going nowhere, amid reports they are about to be called off.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It doesn't come as a great surprise to me because over the six weeks they've been going it doesn't appear that much progress has been made...

"If there's not going to be any progress then there wouldn't be much point in carrying on."

Jeremy Corbyn's full letter to Theresa May as Labour leave Brexit negotiation Dear Prime Minister I am writing to let you know that I believe the talks between us about finding a compromise agreement on leaving the European Union have now gone as far as they can. I would like to put on record that the talks have been conducted in good faith on both sides and thank those involved for their efforts to find common ground. The talks have been detailed, constructive and have involved considerable effort for both our teams. However, it has become clear that, while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us. Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of your government means there cannot be confidence in securing whatever might be agreed between us. As I said when we met on Tuesday evening, there has been growing concern in both the Shadow Cabinet and parliamentary Labour Party about the government's ability to deliver on any compromise agreement. As you have been setting out your decision to stand down and Cabinet ministers are competing to succeed you, the position of the government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded. Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the Cabinet. In recent days we have heard senior Cabinet ministers reject any form of customs union, regardless of proposals made by government negotiators. And despite assurances we have been given on protection of environmental, food and animal welfare standards, the International Trade Secretary has confirmed that importing chlorinated chicken as part of a US trade deal remains on the table. After six weeks of talks, it is only right that the Government now wishes again to test the will of Parliament, and we will carefully consider any proposals the Government wishes to bring forward to break the Brexit deadlock. However, I should reiterate that, without significant changes, we will continue to oppose the Government’s deal as we do not believe it safeguards jobs, living standards and manufacturing industry in Britain. Yours sincerely, Jeremy Corbyn

Earlier this week, Shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned Labour could not “march its troops” up a hill towards a Brexit deal that a new Tory PM such as Boris Johnson could tear up immediately.

Another shadow cabinet minister told the Mirror: “There’s no certainty that anything that’s agreed with Theresa May will be upheld by a new PM. So there’s no point talks continuing. They’re dead, it’s just a matter of when Jeremy tells her.”he summer Parliamentary recess.

The PM's spokesman said: “We have made real progress on some issues such as workers' rights and environmental protections but it is clear that we aren't going to be able to reach a complete agreement.

“In particular, there have been very challenging discussions in respect of the different positions of two sides on customs and the holding of a second referendum.

“The PM continues to believe it is the duty of elected politicians to find a way to deliver on the result of the referendum.”

It “became clear on Thursday night that the talks weren't going to reach a conclusion”, he added.

“She continues to work hard on securing the passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill so that the UK can leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible.”

Mrs May's official spokesman insisted it had been in the national interest to pursue talks with Labour.

The PM and Mr Corbyn met face-to-face three times for talks, with further discussions over the phone, over six weeks.

(Image: LNP)

No 10 said no further, formal talks were planned with Labour frontbenchers, though the Government would continue to speak with MPs from across the Commons.

A Downing Street source admitted the talks' breakdown was “disappointing” and pointed the finger of blame at Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer.

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX)

Sir Keir, who is seen as a vocal supporter of a second referendum, is also tipped as a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn and led the talks for Labour.

The source said it was “obvious” there was a “significant difference of opinion” in the Parliamentary Labour Patty on a second referendum, adding that divisions were clear among Labour's negotiating team.

“It is clear and has been for the duration that these talks have gone on that there are fundamental splits in Labour, particularly on the question of a second referendum which breaks down to the choice between whether to honour the referendum or hold a second referendum in an attempt to reverse it,” said the source.

“It is clear for example that the Shadow Brexit Secretary has fairly strident views on this issue and he represented and led the Labour team during the ministerial plenary sessions for the most part.”

The source said that if the Withdrawal Agreement Bill fails to clear the Commons before the summer recess, “the choice will become significantly more unpalatable, because the arguments about no-deal and whether or not to revoke Article 50 entirely will become more vociferous”.