BRITAIN pulling out of the EU may not be economically viable, York Central MP Rachael Maskell has said.

The York Central MP said the country desperately needed to be protected from a “national crisis”.

Ms Maskell, who was this week made shadow DEFRA secretary and now sits in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, said the situation was so complicated that following through on the vote to leave the EU may not be possible.

The country is in an “economic, constitutional and diplomatic crisis” from which it urgently needs protected, she said. She added: “This is getting worse by the day, and therefore I have suggested that we look at a framework in which to quickly assess whether the national outcome of the referendum is at all viable, since the economy may be so weakened that we are unable to fully trade.”

On Friday morning, Ms Maskell expanded on her position saying the Government must follow through on the democratic decision made in the referendum, but said the continual viability of Britain’s economy needs to be assessed within a framework.

She said: “Our economy is in crisis and therefore its viability is at risk, as is our constitution, with the challenges in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Our diplomatic relations with EU and global nations are also threatened by the decision. There has been evidence of all these three vulnerabilities since the vote.”

Ms Maskell has confirmed she is arranging meetings with major York employers Nestlé and Aviva, and other businesses in the city, to discuss how they will respond to the referendum result.

In York 58 per cent of votes were for remaining in the EU.

She slammed the Prime Minister’s decision to leave all the decisions over Britain’s exit from the EU to the next Tory leader, adding: “I believe that the role of Government is to ensure that the country is protected.

“Currently the Government has no plans how to achieve this, and David Cameron’s statement to the House of Commons on Monday indicated that whilst he would be riding off into the sunset – all decisions about the future of the UK would be down to his successor. I believe that this is far too late in the light of the national crisis.”

Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer, poured scorn on her comments about Britain’s economy and trade, and said it was “fundamentally undemocratic” to suggest Brexit be blocked “by the back door”.

He said: “The British people have spoken in an historic democratic exercise – this must be respected. The only constitutional crisis I see is the lack of an effective opposition to keep the Government to account.”

Selby MP Nigel Adams added: “It’s a pity that people like Ms Maskell don’t like democratic decisions made by citizens of our country when the decision goes against them.”

Thirsk and Malton Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake, who backed Remain, has said he would not support any bid to overturn or ignore the referendum result.

He said: “Any attempt to ignore the outcome of the referendum outcome on Thursday I would oppose.

“A second referendum I would also oppose, unless circumstances come to light that I am not aware of at the moment.”

Both Ryedale and Hambleton in Mr Hollinrake’s constituency voted to leave the European Union.