JEREMY Corbyn came under intense pressure to back a second referendum last night after his union allies announced they would support a vote on the final Brexit deal if it failed to protect jobs.

TUC boss Frances O’Grady said unless Theresa May managed to get a deal that protects workers’ rights, her organisation would back the People’s Vote campaign for a new vote on the final Brexit terms.

Both the TUC – the umbrella organisation for UK unions – and Labour oppose the PM’s current Chequers Brexit proposals, making it highly likely the TUC will end up going through with its threat to back a second referendum.

And a poll yesterday found members of Britain's three biggest unions support a second referendum by a margin of more than two to one.

The YouGov survey of more than 2,700 Unite, Unison and GMB members also found a majority now back staying in the EU due to fears of declining living standards and jobs.

It comes after the GMB union last week swung their support behind another EU vote.

Mr Corbyn's close links to the unions gives them major influence over Labour policy.

Speaking on BBC TV's Andrew Marr Show, Ms O'Grady said unions would never negotiate a deal and not consult members.

She said time was running out to avoid "crashing out" of the EU without a deal.

Speaking ahead of the TUC annual conference in Manchester yesterday, the union boss said: "That would be an absolute disaster for the people we represent.

"If we don't get a deal that working people need, the TUC will be throwing its full weight behind a campaign for a popular vote so that people have a say."

She added: “I want to serve notice to the prime minister today that if we don’t get the deal that working people need, the TUC will be throwing our full weight behind the campaign for a popular vote so that people get a say on whether that deal is good enough.”

dogged him
The TUC general secretary said a deal which included staying with the customs union and single market would be the best way to protect people's livelihoods.

Asked what message she would give to Mr Corbyn, who last week said Labour didn't have a position "yet" on a second referendum, Ms O'Grady said: “I think Labour have left all options on the table. The difference with Labour is they have said they want to put jobs first.

“We are not talking about unravelling that vote, we are talking about a vote on the deal. Ordinary people should get a vote on the terms of that deal.”