Britain could erupt in Paris-style riots if Brexit is stopped, former Tory leader Iain Duncan-Smith warned today.
The MP and leading Brexiteer said voters will feel ‘utterly betrayed and angry’ if another referendum is held and their will was thwarted.
It comes as Remainers stepped up their effort to seize on the Brexit chaos rocking the Government to push for another vote with a mass rally in east London.
Shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan broke ranks with Jeremy Corbyn and appeared on stage declare her support for the so-called People’s Vote.
But she risks sparking the fury of Mr Corbyn, who has said Labour wants a General Election, and that a second referendum is only one of the options ‘on the table’.
Mr Duncan-Smith said: ‘If anybody really genuinely thinks that they want to a hold second referendum they need their heads examining.
‘You think the country is divided right now, you wait until you try and hold that second referendum.
‘There’s a very large chunk of people who will feel utterly betrayed and very angry, and I just caution you look across the Channel, we’re not that far away from that kind of process happening here.’
Britain could erupt in Paris-style riots if Brexit is stopped, former Tory leader Iain Duncan-Smith warned today (pictured, last week on ITV)
Shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan appeared on stage to address a crowd of thousands to declare her support for the so-called People’s Vote (pictured at the rally today)
The Labour MP for Tooting also tweeted a picture of herself at the rally, which was attended by 4,000 people
The French capital has suffered its fourth weekend of rioting as Parisian protesters dubbed ‘yellow vests’ have clashed with police as they demonstrate against the rise in the cost of living.
The furious clashes has seen protester bring mayhem to parts of central Paris , smashing windows, looting shops and scrawling anti Government graffiti on buildings.
Over 1,000 protesters have been arrested and more than 100 injured after the running clashes, which have plunged Emmanuel Macron’s presidency into crisis.
Mr Corbyn is facing mounting pressure from his own MPs to back another referendum.
But Mr Corbyn and his closest allies are hugely resistant to the move, fearing it would lose them crucial votes in the Leave-backing north and could cost them the next election.
Speaking at the Excel Centre in east London today, Dr Allin-Khan said: ‘I launched a local Brexit Poll, asking people to give me their views on the Brexit deal and today, I published the results – 90 per cent of local people want a People’s Vote.
‘Parliament has a decision to make in the next few days which will alter the course of history for the UK, for us and for our children.
‘The current Government is run on confidence and supply, but let’s be straight – confidence is in very short supply.
‘Let’s end the economic uncertainty, let’s end the fear mongering – and let’s have a campaign on the facts.
‘If calls for a General Election are rejected – I’ll be backing a People’s Vote.’
It was the first time she had spoken in support of a People’s Vote campaign, which is waging a campaign to stop Brexit.
A string of politicians from across the political divide, including Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, addressed the crowd this afternoon.
Responding to her comments, Mr Corbyn told ITV News: ‘She’s entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal and I would urge everyone else in the Labour Party to do that.’
‘I’ll have a discussion with her.’
The Prime Minister (pictured visiting a church in Maidenhead today) mounted a last-ditch bid to win over her mutinous backbenchers after over 100 Tory MPs threatened to rebel in the crunch vote on her deal
Mr Corbyn last week admitted that he might delay Brexit if he gets into power.
The Labour leader said he is determined to seize upon the Brexit chaos tearing the Government apart to oust Theresa May and get into Number Ten.
He told Sky News that if he gets into power he might delay Article 50 – the legal mechanism which gives the UK two hours to get out of the EU.
But he downplayed the prospects of another referendum.
He said: ‘I think people feel that if you simply go to everyone who voted in the referendum and say sorry you got it wrong, you have got to take the vote again, that’s not reasonable and that is not sensible.’
It comes as Parliament faces one of the most momentous weeks in modern history as MPs prepare to vote on the Brexit deal.
But Mrs May is facing a massive and humiliating defeat after over 100 Tory MPs vowed to oppose her deal.