Jeremy Corbyn orders Labour MPs to vote against Immigration Bill in surprise U-turn

Jeremy Corbyn - Image credit: PA Images

Labour MPs have been ordered to vote against the UK Government's post-Brexit immigration plans after a looming backbench rebellion forced Jeremy Corbyn into a U-turn.

The Labour leadership had been criticised after initially telling their MPs to abstain when the Immigration Bill was voted on in the Commons.

Party bosses insisted it was a tactical move and they would try to amend the legislation - which ushers in the end of free movement and cracks down on low-skilled migrants - at a later stage.

But furious Labour MPs had vowed to defy the party whips and vote against the bill, teeing up an embarrassing rebellion against Corbyn.

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: "Freedom of movement has brought significant economic benefits for Edinburgh, Scotland, and the entire UK.

"It is something to cherish and celebrate, and we should not be turning our backs on our friends and neighbours from the EU.

"I am not prepared to abstain on this vote, and give the UK government full powers to do whatever ministers want, so I will be representing my constituents by voting against the Tories’ right-wing anti-immigrant ideology.

"Rather than blame migrants for the chaos of Brexit, responsibility lies solely with the Brexiteers who lied to voters during the referendum campaign."

With less than three hours to go until the vote, which was due at 10pm on Monday, Labour announced that their MPs would no longer be abstaining.

A text message sent to all Labour MPs said: "Those colleagues who remain on the estate may wish to be aware that we will be voting AGAINST the Second Reading of the Immigration Bill."

A Labour spokesperson insisted the decision had been taken after it became clear during the Commons debate on the bill that the UK Government would reject any attempts to amend it at committee stage.