Yahoo News Brexit row in Labour as Jeremy Corbyn sacks Owen Smith over calls for second EU referendum
Jeremy Corbyn was facing a backlash from within his own party after he sacked shadow minister Owen Smith for calling for a second EU referendum.
Mr Smith was forced out as shadow Northern Ireland Secretary last night for expressing his “long held views” on Brexit.
He vowed to continue to express his concerns over the “damage” Brexit will do to the economy and the Good Friday Agreement.
Labour peer Peter Hain accused Mr Corbyn of carrying out a “Stalinist purge”.
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott – a key ally of Mr Corbyn – said Mr Smith could not continue to serve on the front bench while expressing views which were contrary to official Labour policy.
Just been sacked by @jeremycorbyn for my long held views on the damage #Brexit will do to the Good Friday Agreement & the economy of the entire U.K. Those views are shared by Labour members & supporters and I will continue to speak up for them, and in the interest of our country.
— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) March 23, 2018
In November, Ms Abbott herself told her Hackney North constituents that she would push for a second referendum on the final Brexit deal, before backtracking and saying she wanted a Parliamentary vote.
Mr Smith, who unsuccessfully challenge Mr Corbyn for the Labour leadership in 2016, said his views are “shared by Labour members and supporters and I will continue to speak up for them, and in the interest of our country.”
A YouGov poll of Labour Party members in January found that 78 per cent want a second referendum on any Brexit deal.
Senior backbench MP Chuka Umunna said: “It’s extraordinary that a shadow cabinet member - doing an excellent job in their brief - should be sacked for standing up for our principles and advocating a Brexit policy that commands the overwhelming support of our members, supporters and voters. What has happened to our party?”
This is a terrible Stalinist purge @OwenSmith_MP has been doing a terrific job on Northern Ireland he’s ideal for the role with his experience expertise and considerable ability. Widely respected. In a Shadow Cabinet with few big hitters he was definitely one https://t.co/hq5mpdbsOx
— Peter Hain (@PeterHain) March 23, 2018
Heidi Alexander said Mr Smith "deserves our respect and unequivocal support" adding that Mr Corbyn knew his views on the EU when he appointed him.
Former minister Ben Bradshaw said he was “very sorry” about the departure of Mr Smith, who will be replaced by former shadow housing minister Tony Lloyd.
Mr Smith’s sacking came after he wrote a Guardian article in which he said Labour should do more than “just back a soft Brexit or guarantee a soft border in Ireland”.
He added: “If we insist on leaving the EU then there is realistically only one way to honour our obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and that is to remain members of both the customs union and the single market.”
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour is not calling for a second referendum “at this stage”.
