McDonnell: Labour should 'get on with' changing its Brexit policy

Labour should 'get on with' changing its Brexit policy to support a second referendum, the shadow chancellor has told the BBC.

John McDonnell said Jeremy Corbyn was "rightfully" trying to build consensus, but added the party needed to reach a position "sooner rather than later".

"I want to campaign for Remain," he said.

He also denied he had called for the Labour leader's advisors to be sacked, as reported in the Sunday Times.

'Wiser'

Labour had previously promised a vote on Brexit in certain circumstances, specifically if it could not get its own deal with the EU passed by MPs or if there was no general election.

Following the party's poor performance in the European elections in May, Mr Corbyn appeared to go further, suggesting there "had to be a public vote" on any deal agreed with Brussels.

He has recently come under pressure from his own MPs to confirm that the party would call for another referendum, and would campaign to remain in the EU.

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Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Mr McDonnell confirmed that he, personally, would campaign to Remain if there was a second referendum.

He said he wanted to "get on with it", but added that Mr Corbyn was "much wiser" and wanted to "build consensus and then go for it".

"That's what he's doing at the moment," he added.

"Jeremy and I go back 40 years, we're the closest of friends. We've minded each other's back throughout that period. Yes, we'll disagree on things, and then we'll come to an agreement."

Asked if he and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott had called for Mr Corbyn's advisors - Karie Murphy and Seumas Milne - to be sacked, Mr McDonnell replied such stories were "rubbish".

Meanwhile, Labour's Barry Gardiner told Sky News' Sophy Ridge that his party is in talks with Conservative MPs who might support a no-confidence motion in the government in order to stop a no-deal Brexit. Conservative MP and ex-minister Sam Gyimah suggested "30 plus" Tory MPs would seek to stop a no-deal Brexit.

'Futile'

Mr McDonnell was also asked about reports in the Sunday Times that up to half a dozen Labour staff have ignored non-disclosure agreements (NDA) to speak to BBC journalists working on a Panorama programme about Labour and anti-Semitism.

According to the Times, Labour, through the law firm Carter Ruck, has warned there could be legal action against those staff members.

Mr McDonnell said the Labour Party was "reminding them of their confidentiality agreement".

He argued this was important in cases where employees "are dealing with individual cases, individual information and individual members".

However, he added the party would "always protect anyone subject to harassment".

A number of Labour MPs criticised the reported action, including deputy leader Tom Watson who said "using expensive media lawyers in an attempt to silence staff members is as futile as it is stupid".

Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeted "Labour opposes NDAs, yet seems to impose them. I'm protected by parliamentary privilege. I'll whistleblow in the House of Commons for anyone who needs me to do so. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. No more excuses or hiding places. You should promise the same Jeremy Corbyn."

Mr Gardiner, shadow international trade secretary, has attacked the forthcoming Panorama programme - which will be aired next week - as neither balanced or impartial.

In response the BBC said: "The Labour Party is criticising a programme they have not seen.

"We are confident the programme will adhere to the BBC's editorial guidelines. In line with those, the Labour Party has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations."