John Leech accused the Conservatives and Labour Party of being “scared” of taking back Theresa May’s final deal with Brussels to the British public.
Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds slapped down the former MP’s comments, suggesting a deal could get voted down and leave Britain stranded inside the European Union.
Speaking on Sunday Politics North West, Mr Leech asked: “Why are Labour and the Tories so scared of giving people a vote on the final deal?”
His comments angered Mr Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, who hit back at his Lib Dem rival.
BBC
A Labour MP clashed former Liberal Democrat MP over his calls for a second Brexit referendum
A second vote on Brexit is a con on the referendum, isn’t it?
Jonathan Reynolds
“Because it doesn’t work, John,” he replied. “How can you have a negotiation when you’re saying, ‘Don’t give us what we’re asking for and we’ll stay’?”
Mr Leech argued the British people should be trusted with “the final say” on the deal which is brought back from Brussels by the Prime Minister.
“When we had the referendum people voted either Remain or Leave for all different reasons,” he said.
“When we actually get a deal on the table we should have the trust in the people that they should then get a final say.”
The Labour MP, who followed Jeremy Corbyn’s three-line whip and backed Mrs May Brexit bill, once again attacked Mr Leech’s comments.
He said: “Are you saying if they reject that deal we are staying in the European Union?
“That is a con on the referendum, isn’t it?”
The Liberal Democrats have since released a document attacking Mrs May’s Brexit white paper, accusing the Government of failing to address ‘five black holes’ in Britain’s EU divorce.
Under the title 'Revealed: Five black holes in the Government’s Brexit White Paper' the Lib Dems say Labour have been short-changed” by the Tories.
Theresa May's Brexit plan Mon, January 16, 2017
It's finally here!
Getty Images 1 of 7
Continued cooperation with the EU to tackle terrorism and international crime.
Tom Break said: “This is not a white paper, it’s a whitewash. The Government has completely failed to answer key questions about Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
“If this is the paper Labour sold their votes for, they’ve been short-changed.
“From the ability of businesses to trade freely to the right of future generations to live and work abroad, instead of concrete proposals we see yet more vague platitudes.
“This is not good enough. The British people deserve to know more about what this government will negotiate on their behalf and they deserve to have the final say on the deal.”
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