Jeremy Corbyn fans flames of Labour’s internal row by failing to back EU single market membership

Leadership rival Owen Smith claimed it showed why Mr Corbyn did not fight 'hard enough' in the referendum

Jeremy Corbyn in the House of Commons

Jeremy Corbyn has enflamed Labour's internal row after failing to show support for retaining Britain's full membership of the EU single market.

His spokesman indicated the Labour leader wants "full access" to the market, but without requirements that come with the UK's existing terms of membership.

Labour leadership rival Owen Smith claimed it explained why Mr Corbyn had failed to attack Tory splits over the single market at Prime Minister's Questions.

Another MP warned his leader not to "turn a blind eye" to the advantages of the single market.

Asked whether he supported the UK remaining in the market, Mr Corbyn's spokesman said the Labour leader is "in favour of negotiating full access to the single market in goods and services, but he's made clear...that there are important aspects of the existing architecture of the European Union that are damaging to working people, damaging to public services.

"If Britain voted to remain, he was pressing the case for reform of those things, so obviously we are not in favour of negotiating a package which includes those continuing requirements on Britain."

He added: "We want access to the single market. We want access in goods and services to the single market. But we don't want the continuation of those kinds of requirements as part of a negotiated package."

Owen Smith said it "appears" that Mr Corbyn agreed with Tory Brexit Secretary David Davis that single market membership is "not worth fighting for".

Arguing that it brought "jobs, growth and investment, Mr Smith said: "Jeremy seems happy to accept Brexit at any cost, even if that means putting British jobs and investment at risk.

"Perhaps this explains why he failed to ask a single question of Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions about Brexit, and why he failed to campaign hard enough during the referendum.”

Mr Corbyn's spokesman said he had not asked questions on the matter at PMQs because there was a commons statement on the G20 following the session that would better address the issue.

But Labour MP Chuka Umunna said: "Labour should be fighting for Britain to stay in the Single Market, not turning a blind eye to its advantages.

"I hope our party clarifies its position in support of UK membership of the Single Market, and continued close engagement with Europe