EU referendum: MPs to debate petition calling for re-run of the vote

MPs will today debate an online petition, launched in the wake of the vote for Brexit, calling for a second EU referendum.

Around 3.2 million people signed the petition in the 48 hours following the referendum on leaving the EU, with the total since rising to 4.4 million.

It demands a re-run on the basis the turnout was below 75 per cent and the winning side gained less than 60 per cent of the vote.

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The referendum was won by the Leave campaign with a margin of 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent on a turnout of 72 per cent.

MPs must consider any petition which tops 100,000 signatures, with debates then taking place in Westminster Hall.

The debate will have no power to alter the vote, but offers the chance for those seeking a referendum on the final Brexit deal – such as Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith – the chance to air their views.

Other MPs, including the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, have called for a vote on Britain's eventual deal with Brussels.

Brexit MP David Davis will also make a statement today about developments in Britain's exit strategy which has begun to take shape during the break.

"This is an historic and positive moment for our nation," he is expected to tell the Commons.

"It is about seizing the huge and exciting opportunities that will flow from a new place for Britain in the world.

“There will be new freedoms, new opportunities, new horizons for this great country."