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The former diplomat who drafted Article 50 today claimed that the European Union will only agree to delay Brexit for a second referendum.

Lord Kerr endorsed a report that predicted zero sympathy from European Union leaders if the UK sought a delay just to try a negotiate a different departure deal.

However, he wrote in a foreword: “If the UK now seeks the necessary postponement of the 29 March deadline in order to hold a People’s Vote, the EU27 would willingly agree.”

His intervention was the latest sign of a growing split among former Remain campaigners who are divided between calling for a fresh referendum and campaigning for a soft-Brexit such as a Norway option.

Lord Kerr is a former head of the Foreign Office who led the European Convention that first drafted Article 50, the text in the Lisbon Treaty that sets a two-year countdown when a country serves notice it wishes to leave the EU.

He is a backer of the People’s Vote campaign which is opposed to rival campaigns for a Norway-style “soft Brexit”. Its new document urged MPs to reject the idea of “indicative votes” in the Commons, an idea backed by Cabinet minister Amber Rudd, by arguing that the EU would not entertain them.

Lord Kerr said: “These are facts MPs of all parties might wish to keep in mind as they consider the options the Government is now offering. They should reflect on how the will of the people can be best expressed now that the public can make an informed choice.”

Brexit Day is currently set for March 29 this year but the Government has not denied reports that it is putting out feelers for a postponement if Mrs May’s deal is quashed in a major Commons vote on Tuesday.

The document claimed the chances of a referendum have improved recently because MPs look set to defeat Mrs May’s deal next week and are ready to intervene to prevent a no-deal departure. In addition, the EU’s Court of Justice has ruled that Britain can unilaterally cancel Article 50 if it decides to remain.