I’m starting to worry about our Brexit policy, Diane Abbott tells Jeremy Corbyn

Split: Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn. She has concerns over Labour’s strategy
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Jeremy Corbyn was dealt a major blow today as long-time ally Diane Abbott distanced herself from his Brexit policy.

In a rare intervention on his leadership, the shadow home secretary said she now “worries” about the party’s Brexit strategy.

Labour has been pilloried by members and beset with shadow cabinet infighting for not swinging behind a second referendum with a campaign to remain in the EU.

Now, even some of Mr Corbyn’s closest allies are deserting his Brexit stance.

Responding to someone on Twitter this morning, Ms Abbott tweeted: “Like you I have supported Labour’s Brexit strategy so far. But like you I am beginning to worry...”

The message sent at 6.49am came after Twitter user Mick McAteer wrote that Labour’s Brexit stance had been principled because it had stopped a hard Brexit, kept a second vote option alive and hit the Tories, but added “even I’m starting to worry”.

A senior shadow cabinet source said: “Diane is extremely loyal to Jeremy Corbyn and the project and she is somebody who is very measured and considered on Brexit.

“She doesn’t wade into rows, she has her say behind the scenes, so it is a very significant Tweet.” The two Labour figures have a long-standing friendship stretching back to the Seventies and Ms Abbott has been one of Mr Corbyn’s most vociferous cheerleaders since he became party leader in 2015.

Mr Corbyn, his closest advisers and Unite union boss Len McCluskey are believed to be reticent on changing course and coming out more strongly for another poll in case they lose voters in Leave-voting Northern constituencies.

After a string of shadow cabinet meetings, the party is yet to thrash out a final position and might not do so until a new Prime Minister is in place.

Ms Abbott adds to the mounting pressure on Mr Corbyn over Brexit after appalling results for the party in the European elections. Other significant Labour figures are also moving rapidly to a Remain position, opening up further splits in the shadow Cabinet.

Mr Corbyn, his closest advisers and Unite union boss Len McCluskey  are believed to be reticent on changing course 
PA

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth told the Standard: “Labour has now said it supports a public vote and I would support Remain as it is in the interests of working people.”

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said in an interview with Anne McElvoy on Economist Radio, that if there is another referendum he would campaign for Remain.

He said: “What my personal position is, is that if there’s another referendum, I’d vote for Remain. But we’ve got to arrive at a party position on that.”

Shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler told ITV’s Peston last night: “Whatever deal comes out of Parliament needs to go to referendum. Yes the decision will have to be made to how we will campaign. I will be campaigning to Remain.”

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry all back a second referendum and want the party to campaign to Remain. Mr Watson has warned the party will be “electoral history” if it doesn’t quickly change tack. Labour nerves will be jangled further by an exclusive poll by Ipsos MORI for the Standard today.

It reveals Labour and the Conservatives out of favour with voters after months of political turmoil and deadlock over Brexit, with the pro-EU Liberal Democrats picking up support.

Asked how they would vote in an election, just 26 per cent said they would back the Conservatives (up one point since last month), while only 24 per cent would back Labour (down three). The Brexit Party were on 12 per cent (down by four).

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