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Andy Burnham gags his Cabinet over rejoining the EU and orders ministers not to back any option publicly

Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch clash at PMQs as Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds refused to give his personal view on free movement, offering only "the Government line.
Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch clash at PMQs as Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds refused to give his personal view on free movement, offering only "the Government line.

Chancellor John Healey broke ranks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Thursday, saying he does not accept that growth would be stronger inside the EU or single market. Burnham has imposed Cabinet collective responsibility on Brexit, warning ministers who want to advocate specific options must first resign. The row erupts as Burnham's own position remains contested after contradictory statements on freedom of movement this week.

Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Yvette Cooper are among those muzzled by the collective responsibility order.

Burnham said the review of EU options would conclude with the government setting out 'the respective merits and drawbacks of the various options' for the next Parliament to decide.

Burnham also ruled out calling an early election within the next year, insisting he is 'not thinking about my own party and its prospects'.

MoreThe IndependentChancellor and Burnham at odds over Brexit: ‘We had a referendum’GB NewsAndy Burnham gags Cabinet on rejoin EU plot as Labour braces for Brexit civil warBBC News - PoliticsBurnham insists 'no confusion at all' over his Brexit positionThe GuardianTory Brexit was ‘harder’ than promised in EU referendum, says Andy Burnhamwww.the-independent.comBurnham tells ministers to avoid backing specific EU options after crunch summit - www.the-independent.comHuffPost UKAndy Burnham Rules Out Holding A Snap Election In The Next 12 MonthsEvening StandardBurnham tells ministers to avoid backing specific EU options after crunch summit
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