A BOLTON MP has hit out at the Greater Manchester mayor over his backing of a second Brexit referendum.

Chris Green, who resigned his role in the Department of Transport over Prime Minister Theresa May’s EU deal, called Andy Burnham “out of touch”.

Speaking in Westminster, Mr Burnham urged MPs across the North West to call on the EU for more time to deliver a Brexit deal, if no agreement can be reached before the March.

However, he said if this tactic failed then he would get behind a second vote or ‘People’s Vote’ on Britain leaving the EU.

The former Leigh MP said: “The biggest danger facing British politics right now is to allow this polarised No-Deal/People’s-Vote dynamic to shape the next six months.

“Instead, Greater Manchester’s interests lie in finding a common-sense Brexit deal that as far as possible provides continuity, does not disrupt the supply chains of firms nor raise prices for our residents and businesses but at the same time allows the UK space to respond to the concern about freedom of movement and develop a more controlled migration system. In practical terms, this means effectively building up from the Chequers Agreement, not watering it down. But this is looking more and more unlikely. The odds on a no deal outcome are growing every day. So it time to consider a contingency plan.”

He added: “But there is a possibility that there isn’t a deal that can unite the necessary majority. Then, and only then, if we are left teetering on the cliff-edge of No Deal with no other options, I would endorse the call for a People’s Vote on the proposed No Deal departure and encourage our MPs to do the same.”

Mr Burnham also expressed fears that a second vote could cause “civil unrest” because of how polarising the issue is.

Mr Green, MP for Bolton West, slammed the mayor and said he should allow people to “get on with delivering a clear Brexit”.

He said: “For the Greater Manchester Mayor to hop on a train to London to give a speech calling for a second referendum or to draw out the Brexit process even longer shows that he is completely out of touch with the people of Bolton and beyond.

“People voted to leave the EU and we now need to get on with delivering a clear Brexit. The Mayor should be concentrating on reducing homelessness, solving the inequalities in health and getting a proper plan for house building that has the support of residents – not grandstanding with speeches in central London.”