LABOUR’S disunity on Brexit was highlighted when a senior MP attacked his front bench's position on EU withdrawal, claiming colleagues were “being played for fools” by Jeremy Corbyn.

Denouncing the leadership’s stance on Brexit, Chris Leslie, the former Shadow Chancellor, told MPs: "The idea that the Labour Party is not together and arguing against this tragedy, against this disaster is for me entirely heartbreaking."

The Nottingham MP branded Brexit an "unmitigated disaster", adding he held Theresa May "responsible" for the conduct of the negotiations.

He went on: "But the truth is there have been an increasing number of people on these benches abstaining, even front-benchers abstaining and, therefore, we have to wait for members of the payroll, Government ministers to do the brave thing and resign to counteract for the loss of some of those numbers on what should be a solid Labour move against this outrageous situation."

Mr Leslie criticised the wording of his party leadership's amendment, stating: "I do no longer see those words 'option of a public vote', which was there when we had the amendment on January 29; I think to myself why are we regressing in our party's policy passed at the September conference?"

The backbencher added: "I certainly feel that we are being played for fools by the leadership of the Labour Party on this particular issue because by now we should have reached the stage of a public vote when it comes to the option of remaining in the EU."

Mr Leslie said the Westminster party political system was shattered and broken and was letting the country down at a crucial time.

“I believe that it is a moment we needed leadership but what we are seeing, sadly, is party political calculations, party political advantage tragically putting themselves ahead of the national interest," he added.

His remarks came following suggestions at least half a dozen disillusioned Labour MPs might be on the verge of breaking from the party to form a pro-EU centrist group at Westminster.

In a separate development, Clive Lewis, the Shadow Treasury Minister, expressed concern that Labour was helping "facilitate a Tory Brexit".

The Norwich MP said his party was sending out "dangerous mixed messages" on where it stood regarding EU withdrawal.

The comments came as colleague Angela Smith said she and other Labour MPs were "being pushed to the edge" by the party leader on Brexit.

And deputy leader Tom Watson delivered a plea for unity as he urged MPs to "stay and fight their corner" rather than quit Labour.

Speaking at a "Love socialism, hate Brexit" meeting in Westminster, Mr Lewis drew comparisons between Labour's EU withdrawal stance and how the Liberal Democrats tried to soften austerity while in coalition with the Tories.

Referring to the Lib Dems, he said: "They were utterly and comprehensively destroyed by the British public and not forgiven because they facilitated austerity. They facilitated the Tories doing that.

"And my fear is that what we are now doing is we are helping to facilitate a Tory Brexit. And the ramifications for our party will be severe,” he warned.