Jeremy Corbyn faces explosive Brexit showdown as infighting dominates Labour conference start

John McDonnell, who has backed Remain, dismissed reports of splits as 'a bit of banter'

Labour is braced for a explosive showdown over its Brexit policy as grassroots activists mount a bid to shift the party towards a pro-Remain stance.

Jeremy Corbyn is facing pressure to ditch his plan to hold a neutral position in a general election, after which Labour would negotiate its own Brexit deal and put it to a referendum.

But the policy, which is supported by trade unions, failed to secure agreement at a late-night meeting on Sunday, as pro-EU delegates argued the party should explicitly campaign for Remain.

Instead, separate motions are expected to be put to a vote at the party's annual conference on Monday, one calling for Labour to back remain and another endorsing a policy of neutrality.

Labour's gathering in Brighton has been dominated by infighting, after an abortive eve-of-conference effort to oust deputy leader Tom Watson, and the dramatic resignation of Mr Corbyn's senior aide Andrew Fisher.

However John McDonnell, who has vowed to support Remain, dismissed the reports of splits as "a bit of banter" and said the leadership's position was "logical".

Labour's plan, pushed by Mr Corbyn, says the party should only decide how to campaign in a referendum at a special conference held after a general election.

But pro-Remain activists stood firm during a late-night meeting in Brighton, where a motion championing their position was also put forward.

Andrew Lewin, founder of Remain Labour, said: "This is a huge step forward.

"Labour members will tomorrow have the chance to change party policy - so Labour commits to campaign to Remain in all circumstances."

However the results will hinge on whether influential trade unions decide to back Mr Corbyn's position, or to shift towards a pro-Remain stance.

Mike Buckley, director of Labour for a Public Vote, said: "On Monday, Labour conference will vote on a motion that, if passed, would commit the party to campaign for Remain in all circumstances. This reflects the opinion of the vast majority of our members and voters.

"Labour is already the only main party committed to a democratic vote on Brexit.

"If we add a commitment to Remain we will at last be providing the leadership the country needs, in contrast to the chaos offered by an increasingly extreme Conservative Party."

Ahead of the votes, Mr McDonnell said the party was simply engaged in "honest, democratic debate".

The shadow chancellor told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "People have high emotions on this because they feel it's important. But that's not people respecting each other's views as well and there will be a bit of banter, of course there will.

"I keep saying: do not mistake democracy for division. It isn't - what we're having is an honest debate."

He added: "It's very difficult for people to determine their position in advance of knowing the detail of that deal, but my view, actually I think, because I campaigned for Remain, I can't see at the moment a better deal being achieved. And that's my view.

"That's why I'm saying I'm happy to go along with this logical sequence. And I'm happy for others to challenge me and say, 'actually, no, this is a better deal' - I'd like that debate. "

It comes after a day of infighting over Labour's Brexit stance with Unite boss Len McCluskey, a key ally of the Labour leader, calling on shadow cabinet members to fall in behind the policy or "step aside".

But shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry - whose actions were singled out by Mr McCluskey - deputy leader Tom Watson and London Mayor Sadiq Khan insisted the party must throw its weight behind the remain cause now rather than at a special conference after an election.