People's Vote £1m donor now believes second referendum will happen

Julian Dunkerton, the remain-supporting entrepreneur who donated £1m to the "People's Vote" campaign, has told Sky News he now thinks a second referendum will happen.

Mr Dunkerton, co-founder of fashion chain Superdry, told Sky's Ian King he believed there was now no chance of the prime minister's deal succeeding.

However Sir Rocco Forte, a prominent hotelier who backs Brexit, told the same programme that he now took the "pragmatic" position of backing the deal - which he previously opposed - if Theresa May quits.

But Mr Dunkerton, who describes himself as "one of the most ardent remainers you can possibly imagine", dismissed the idea that Mrs May could yet win the backing of the Commons if MPs take a similar view and swing behind the withdrawal agreement.

"I really do not believe that will ever get a majority," he said.

Mr Dunkerton added: "You can see the sequence of events now happening

"I really truly believe that we will get a second referendum."

Mr Dunkerton said he felt as if "half of London" was on the People's Vote march over the weekend, which he attended.

"Clearly, there is a momentum behind that campaign, and where it's going."

The businessman made the comments during an interview which saw him step up his campaign to return to lead a turnaround of Superdry, after leaving a year ago.

Mr Dunkerton retains a major stake in the fashion retailer and is urging shareholders attending a meeting next week to reinstate him to the board.

He has previously said he fears for the future of the brand unless it changes course.

In his latest interview, Mr Dunkerton accused current management of being "blinkered", criticising its online strategy as well as plans for a children's clothing range.

Meanwhile Sir Rocco - who has previously described Mrs May's Brexit deal as like "locking yourself in jail and giving the European Union the key" - revealed that he would now reluctantly get behind it if the PM is replaced.

He said Britain had been left in a "humiliating position" and made a "laughing stock".

But he added: "I think we have to face reality, be pragmatic, and I would support Mrs May's withdrawal agreement on the basis that she would stand down and that the whole negotiating team is changed, a Brexiteer in charge, and some hard-nosed people who know how to negotiate."