The Labour leadership has said the party would campaign to remain in the European Union in a second referendum - but only if the alternative was a no-deal Brexit.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn has reiterated that Labour will do whatever it takes to avoid a no-deal exit in October. However, asked if the party would stay neutral if the public were given a choice between a Labour-negotiated deal and remaining in the EU, Corbyn declined to say what course the party would take.

“In a general election, we will put forward the opportunity for people in this country to have the final say,” he said during what the The Daily Telegraph calls “an election-style address” in the key marginal Tory-held seat of Corby.

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“If it is no-deal versus Remain then obviously John McDonnell and others made it very clear we would support remain. If there is the opportunity for some other option to be put then that will be put. I want to bring people together,” he said.

Asked whether he would personally campaign to remain if a Labour government were able to negotiate a deal with Brussels, he said: “We have been very clear that in accordance with the democratic decision taken by our conference last year, an incoming Labour government will facilitate a choice where everyone will have a choice between a deal or remaining in the European Union.”

However, shadow chancellor John McDonnell had earlier declared that he would campaign to remain in the EU whichever other option is on the cards in a second referendum.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “I’ve made it clear from my personal position that I’ll be campaigning for Remain. I think that’s the best choice.

“But people will want to have a say and see whether there is another option. But we’ve had that debate in parliament and that’s why I’ve come down in favour of Remain because I can’t see one that will have the same benefits as Remain.”

The Guardian points out that there are “precedents for neutrality” on crucial EU votes. In 1975, then-prime minister Harold Wilson allowed his cabinet to campaign on either side in the referendum on joining the European Community. And more recently, David Cameron allowed the Conservative party to stay neutral in the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU.