Labour's Diane Abbott predicts Leave would win a second referendum by a BIGGER margin if it was ever called after Keir Starmer says he would vote REMAIN in a re-run 

• Labour's stance is mired in confusion as Brexit process reaches a critical point
• Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer says he would vote Remain in referendum
• Labour has been inching towards support for another national ballot on Brexit 
• But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he does not know how he would vote  

Labour's Diane Abbott predicted Leave would win a second referendum by a bigger margin than in 2016 if a re-run was ever ordered today.

The shadow home secretary said any attempt to reverse the first vote would just stoke resentment among Brexit supporters.

Ms Abbott's claim may reflect the thinking of her close friend Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who has resisted calls from party activists to back a second vote.

Ms Abbott told the BBC's Nick Robinson: 'If we had a second referendum tomorrow, Leave would again and not only would Leave win again, but leave voters would say 'what didn't you understand about Leave the first time.' 

Official Labour policy is only to consider a new referendum if it proves impossible to secure a snap election that could install Mr Corbyn and his own Brexit plan in No 10.

But the policy has been mired in confusion amid mixed messages from senior figures.

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer added to the mystery today by hinting he wants to kill off Brexit altogether - saying he would vote Remain in a second referendum.

Amid bitter Labour infighting over leaving the EU, Sir Keir again appeared to talk up the prospect of another national vote.

He made clear that staying in the bloc should be on the ballot - and said that was the option he would support. 

 The Labour leader - a veteran Eurosceptic - has said Brexit 'can't be stopped', insisted the question of a referendum was 'for the future', and said he 'doesn't know' how he would vote if one was held.

Many of the party's MPs have been joining the SNP and Lib Dems in demanding a so-called 'People's Vote' to stop Brexit. 

But Theresa May has dismissed the idea pointing out that the country made a clear decision on the issue in 2016.

The Labour leadership has so far resisted grass roots pressure to endorse the plebiscite, trying to stay in the fence as much as possible while the Tories try to navigate the Brexit process. 

But asked how he would vote if there was a second Brexit referendum, Sir Keir told ITV News last night: 'Remain. I voted Remain first time and I would vote Remain again.'

He said: 'As I say what we've got to do is take every decision as it comes. Unless the deal falls then other options simply are not available.

Sir Keir stressed that the party wanted a general election to be held but added: 'If it doesn't happen then we press on to other options including a public vote.'

Asked what Mrs May could do to secure Labour's support, Sir Keir said joining a permanent customs union - something that Mrs May has repeatedly made a red line - would be a first step.

'A comprehensive, permanent customs union that protects manufacturing and gives us a say in trade policy with the EU,' he told BBC's Newsnight.

Sir Keir said 'if she reflects between now and the vote we will look at what she brings back'

However the customs concession 'wouldn't be the only thing' sought by Labour, he added.