THERESA May is more likely to agree to a People’s Vote than Jeremy Corbyn, Vince Cable has claimed after the Labour leader refused to swing fully behind the campaign for a second EU referendum.

An hourlong meeting in Mr Corbyn’s Commons office with the leaders of the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens confirmed “fundamental differences” between the Labour leader and his fellow opposition chiefs, said Sir Vince.

He explained Mr Corbyn was unable to offer support for the People’s Vote campaign because the Labour leader did not accept the choice should be between the Prime Minister’s plan and remaining in the EU.

“They are looking for a new form of Brexit and that is not where we are,” declared the Lib Dem leader.

Asked if the People’s Vote was dead without Labour backing, he replied: “Not necessarily. It can come in other ways. I have always argued the most likely route for a People’s Vote is when the Government realises it has got a better chance of getting it through in a public vote in the country than it is in Parliament. Waiting for Jeremy Corbyn I don’t think is going to get us there.”

Asked if Mrs May was more likely to realise a People’s Vote than Mr Corbyn, the party leader replied: “I do think that is the case…It’s a crazy situation but unfortunately that is where we are.”

Sir Vince also said the party leaders also raised the possibility that the UK could find itself facing a choice between a no-deal outcome and scrapping Brexit altogether.

“We made it very clear we would absolutely require revocation in that situation rather than plunging the country into disaster. It wasn’t totally clear where he was on that.”

Asked if it might come to that choice, the Lib Dem leader replied: “If the Europeans don’t agree to a long extension, we might well be in that territory.”

Ian Blackford for the SNP said the Labour leader’s response was “disappointing” but that he would continue to try to convince him of the merits of a second EU poll.

Admitting “we can only win this if the Labour Party are with us,” the Highland MP also issued a warning: “If Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t join us and we don’t deliver this, then he will pay a price.”

Caroline Lucas, the Greens’ co-leader, was more upbeat, saying the chances of a People's Vote were "moderately higher" after the meeting. "He certainly didn't rule out the idea of a public vote," she added.

A Labour spokesman said the talks were “constructive” and all the party leaders had affirmed their common opposition to the Government's “botched deal or no-deal outcome”.

“Should there not be a majority in Parliament for May's deal or a public vote, Mr Corbyn called on the other parties to engage constructively to find a parliamentary majority for a close economic relationship with the EU that can work for the whole country,” he added.