Brexit: Labour vows to oppose any 'desperate' bid by Theresa May to split vote on EU deal

'I want to clear – Labour will not support this latest desperate attempt by the PM'

Labour will oppose any "desperate" attempt by Theresa May to split a crucial vote on her Brexit deal in two, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The shadow Brexit secretary's remarks came amid speculation MPs could be asked to approve the Brexit withdrawal agreement, but not the political declaration setting out plans for a future trade and security relationship with the EU.

Sir Keir said such a move would amount to asking MPs to vote for a "blindfold" approach to the next phase of talks - which could be led by a different prime minister.

He also pointed out that Ms May herself has already made clear there can be no separation of the two Brexit documents.

"Yet now she may ask the Commons to pretend they can," he told delegates at the British Chamber of Commerce annual conference in central London.

He continued: "I want to clear – Labour will not support this latest desperate attempt by the PM. To now to split the withdrawal agreement and political declaration would leave us with the blindest of blindfold Brexits.

“Labour will not countenance that.”

It comes after the cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom, paved the way for the government to bring back the prime minister's twice-defeated deal.

The Commons leader effectively booked a slot for a debate on Friday, but is yet to confirm Downing Street will bring back the "meaningful vote" for a third time.

Speaking at the QE II centre in central London, Sir Keir also responded to the announcement from the prime minister that she would leave Downing Street if she secures MPs' approval for her Brexit deal.

"It's even more of a blindfold Brexit," he said. "We now know that the outcome of our future relationship with the EU is not going to be determined by her.

"My biggest fear is that, unless Parliament takes a stand now, the outcome of the negotiations is going to be determined by the outcome of next Tory leadership contest.

"It could be a Boris Johnson Brexit. A Jacob Rees-Mogg Brexit. Or a Michael Gove Brexit. That should give anyone considering supporting May's deal on Friday serious concern."