Jeremy Corbyn pulls plug on cross-party Brexit talks, saying they have 'gone as far as they can'

He explains that as the Conservative Party moves towards selecting a new leader “the position of the Government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded,” undermining “confidence” in the “Government's ability to deliver any compromise agreement”.

He tells the PM: “Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the Cabinet.”

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Mr Corbyn describes the talks as “detailed” and “constructive” but expresses disappointment that “while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.”

He ends the letter by stating that Labour will carefully consider any proposals the Government brings forward to break the Brexit deadlock but reiterates that, without significant changes, his party would continue to oppose the Government’s botched deal.

Speaking this morning in north London, the Labour leader said the Government had not moved its position "fundamentally" and the divisions in the Tory Party meant it was a "Government that is negotiating with no authority and no ability, that I can see, to actually deliver anything".

The Government will now move to hold so-called "definitive votes" on various options. A leaked paper suggests they will include a customs union and a People's Vote. Given the Commons rises for its Whitsun recess next Thursday, then these votes are likely to take place on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Referring to the prospect of the votes, Mr Corbyn said: "This is a novel process which we will obviously look at whenever it comes to Parliament."

Responding to the collapse in the cross-party talks, Wera Hobhouse for the Liberal Democrats said: "Jeremy Corbyn has made it clear that the talks broke down because they failed to agree a Customs Union. Labour remainers will be furious. Jeremy Corbyn should have been arguing for a final say on the deal not a Brexit stitch up. It's a woeful dereliction of duty in opposition. 

"It is totally clear that the only strong and credible remain party in the country is the Liberal Democrats. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats in the European Elections next week is a vote to stop Brexit."

Backbencher Chris Leslie for Change UK said: "With politics now so clearly at breaking point, it’s clear we are at the brink of a national emergency. Decisions over the future of our country should never be in the hands of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, whose own MPs don’t even have confidence in them - it should be in the hands of the public with a People’s Vote."

He added: "The Cabinet Office should immediately publish the minutes of the ‘talks’ so far so we all know what was discussed, and so we can be sure the status of these ‘talks’ is not simply an electoral convenience." 

Mr Corbyn's letter in full states:

“Dear Prime Minister,

“I am writing to let you know that I believe the talks between us about finding a compromise agreement on leaving the European Union have now gone as far as they can.

“I would like to put on record that the talks have been conducted in good faith on both sides and thank those involved for their efforts to find common ground.

“The talks have been detailed, constructive and have involved considerable effort for both our teams.

“However, it has become clear that, while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.

“Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of your government means there cannot be confidence in securing whatever might be agreed between us.

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“As I said when we met on Tuesday evening, there has been growing concern in both the Shadow Cabinet and parliamentary Labour Party about the government's ability to deliver on any compromise agreement.

“As you have been setting out your decision to stand down and Cabinet ministers are competing to succeed you, the position of the government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded. Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the Cabinet.

“In recent days we have heard senior Cabinet ministers reject any form of customs union, regardless of proposals made by government negotiators. And despite assurances we have been given on protection of environmental, food and animal welfare standards, the International Trade Secretary has confirmed that importing chlorinated chicken as part of a US trade deal remains on the table.

“After six weeks of talks, it is only right that the Government now wishes again to test the will of Parliament, and we will carefully consider any proposals the Government wishes to bring forward to break the Brexit deadlock.

“However, I should reiterate that, without significant changes, we will continue to oppose the Government’s deal as we do not believe it safeguards jobs, living standards and manufacturing industry in Britain.

“Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Corbyn.”