Jeremy Corbyn sees shadow minister QUIT after he forces Labour MPs to vote FOR Article 50

The Labour leader today confirmed he will impose a three-line whip on his MPs when the House of Commons votes on a Bill giving power to the Prime Minister to invoke Article 50 and begin EU divorce talks.

The Bill was presented to the House of Commons this afternoon by Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Asked whether he will require Labour MPs to vote in favour of the Government's Bill, Mr Corbyn told Sky News: "It will be a clear decision that we want all our our MPs to support the Article 50 vote when it comes up next week.

He added: "It's clearly a three-line whip, it is a vote on Article 50.

“We will put out a statement today to our members that we want them to vote for Article 50."

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In a letter to Mr Corbyn, the Hampstead and Kilburn wrote: "The vast majority of my constituents voted last year to remain in the European Union, as did I.

"On the announcement of the three-line whip on the Article 50 vote, I therefore feel I have no choice but to resign from my front bench role as shadow minister for early years.

"I do not support the triggering of Article 50 and cannot reconcile myself to the front bench position."

It's clearly a three-line whip, it is a vote on Article 50.

Jeremy Corbyn

Last week, shadow business secretary Clive Lewis said voting for Article 50 is not "in the best interests" of his constituents.

But Mr Lewis today dismissed suggestions he could also vote against the Bill.

He said: “I have been clear throughout that I respect the result of the referendum and will, therefore, join my colleagues in voting for the bill on its second reading.

“However, Theresa May does not have a mandate to dictate the terms of Brexit without listening to the British people. The whole country should be involved in determining our shared future, which is why Labour has fought for the British people to have a say, through parliament.

“Labour will seek to amend the bill to prevent the government using Brexit to trash our rights, public services, jobs and living standards while cutting taxes for the wealthiest.

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It has been reported up to 80 Labour MPs in total could vote against the Article 50 legislation.

Mr Corbyn tonight announced Labour would table nine amendments to the Article 50 Bill, with the SNP and Liberal Democrats also likely to try and introduce their own conditions.

Mr Corbyn said he fully understood "the pressures and issues that members are under" with Labour MPs representing both Remain-supporting and Leave-supporting constituencies.

He added: "Labour is in the almost unique position of having MPs representing constituencies in both directions and very strongly in both directions.

"I say to everyone, unite around the important issues of jobs, economy, security, rights, justice, those issues and we'll frame that relationship with Europe in the future. Outside the EU but in concert with friends whether those countries are in the EU or outside the EU

"That's the message we're putting out and I'm asking all of our MPs not to block Article 50 but to make sure it goes through next week."

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