Tories warn of Jeremy Corbyn 'con' on Brexit as Labour frontbenchers set to address pro-Remain events at party conference

Labour shadow cabinet ministers are set to speak at a host of pro-Remain events at the party's annual conference as the Conservatives warn Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to "con" the British public over Brexit.

Diane Abbott, Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and a number of other key allies of the Labour leader have been booked to speak at the events, including one titled "Why Labour must support free movement", despite the party's promise that the policy will end.

It came as Government ministers warned Mr Corbyn is planning to "con" Labour supporters and the public by voting down the EU Withdrawal Bill in the House of Commons this evening.

It follows his pledge during the election campaign that Labour would not block Brexit and came after the party's decision to trigger Article 50, the start of formal talks.

Justice minister Dominic Raab told Sky News that Mr Corbyn is preparing to pull "the biggest con trick on Labour voters and the country yet" by refusing to back the bill as Labour shadow ministers expressed concern at the decision.

Although Theresa May is expected to win the crunch vote, which will transpose EU law onto the UK statute books, shadow housing minister John Healey warned that voting against it "sends the wrong signal" to voters.

Mr Healey reportedly told Mr Corbyn at a meeting last week that: "We are sending the wrong signal to the country with this. We have to vote for the bill".

It follows warnings from northern and midlands Labour MPs that by blocking the bill, which Labour has described as a "power grab", it will be betraying voters in Labour heartlands who have grave concerns about immigration.

It came as David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, warned that voting against Brexit would amount to backing a "chaotic" exit from the union. 

He stressed the British people "did not vote for confusion" in last year's referendum and Parliament should respect that when it divides on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill for the first time.

Yesterday the TUC, one of Labour's most powerful trade union backers, called on the party to back remaining in the single market and customs union forever.

It is expected to back a conference motion to support permanent single market membership, which sources claim the leader would find difficult to oppose.

The annual meet-up is expected to fuel claims that Labour is now the party of remain as it emerged shadow cabinet members are speaking at events organised by pro-remain groups.

Only one explicit pro-Brexit event has been arranged, according to the conference guide, and no shadow cabinet members are lined up to speak.

Mr Corbyn has so far refused to pledge staying in the single market indefinitely, stating instead that Labour backs membership during the transitional period but that a new regime will be introduced after leaving.

But Frances O'Grady, the general secretary of the TUC, will say today: "My challenge all political parties is this: When it comes to Brexit, don’t box yourselves in. Don’t rule anything out. Keep all options on the table. And put jobs, rights and livelihoods first. “We have set out our tests for the Brexit deal working people need. Staying in the single market and customs union would deliver it.”

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union warned Labour not to reverse its position and aid those seeking to block Brexit. 

He said: "RMT campaigned for a leave vote and there should be no suggestion that there is some back door route by which Britain can remain in the EU despite a democratic decision in a national vote.

"As far as RMT is concerned, membership of the single market is membership of the EU and would mean the retention of key anti-worker policies like rail privatisation and social dumping."