Sir Vince Cable and fellow opposition party leaders have told Michel Barnier to start preparing for a “People’s Vote” on Brexit.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince, the Scottish National Party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts and Green MEP Molly Scott Cato had an hour of talks with Mr Barnier in Brussels on Thursday.
They told the EU’s Brexit negotiator that there is “cross-party resistance” in Parliament to the withdrawal deal being pursued by Theresa May.
Sir Vince said after the meeting: “My message to Michel Barnier was clear: it's time to start serious contingency planning for a People's Vote.
“We know the UK government has started making such plans as a result of the growing demand for such a vote, demonstrated by last weekend's march.
"The EU should do the same, because MPs who back the people's vote are fast forming the biggest and most cohesive bloc in Westminster."
Prime Minister Ms May has consistently rejected talk of a second referendum.
The party leaders' meeting with Mr Barnier came as senior ministers believed the risk of a no-deal Brexit is rising after hardening opposition to a never-ending Irish border backstop.
Meanwhile, mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who is also backing a People’s Vote, launched an attack on Downing Street, saying: “I am deeply concerned that the government is wholly unprepared for whatever kind of Brexit takes place: be that a bad deal, or even worse, no deal at all.”
Additional reporting by Press Association.
