Jarvis: Corbyn right to impose whip on Article 50

Mr Jarvis, who has been critical of Mr Corbyn’s leadership, said it was right that the party should have a collective approach to the Brexit Bill.

Two Labour MPs have already quit frontbench posts so they can ignore Mr Corbyn’s three line whip and vote against the Bill with York Central MP Rachael Maskell said to be considering her future as Shadow Environment Secretary.

Mr Jarvis will be voting with Mr Corbyn to back the Government Bill giving Theresa May power to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin Brexit talks.

Mr Jarvis said: “I think Jeremy is right on this. This is the biggest challenge that our country faces and it is right that as a Labour party we come together, we establish a consensus amongst ourselves. So I think it is the right decision.

“I absolutely acknowledge that for many colleagues that will present a massive choice that they will have to make.

“In the end I am sure people will vote with their conscience and do what they think is the right thing for their constituencies and for their constituents.

“But on such a major issue such as this I think it is the right thing for the leader to take a view and to ensure that colleagues are to an extent bound by that decision.”

Mr Jarvis, a vocal Remain campaigner last year, told Sky News he had “listened very carefully” to his constituents in Barnsley where 70 per cent voted to leave the EU.

“I think it is the right thing to do to trigger Article 50 and we begin that process of negotiation.

“What I’ll be doing throughout that process is scrutinising the Government and the actions they take and seeking to ensure we secure the best possible deal for my constituents here in Yorkshire.”