Badenoch accuses Burnham of failing to 'respect' the Brexit vote as he orders ministers not to back EU options

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.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has imposed a public silence on his cabinet, barring ministers from endorsing any particular option for a new EU deal before next month's Brussels summit. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is among those reported to have reservations about what revised Brexit arrangements could mean in practice. Burnham acknowledged that the Conservative deal left Britain with a "harder Brexit than was promised at the referendum" but held firm on his red lines — no single market, customs union or free movement within this Parliament.

Badenoch told Burnham at PMQs he had "opened his mouth without engaging his brain" on free movement during Budget week, when the chancellor was making his fiscal statement.

Burnham's letter to cabinet said any "fundamental change" to post-Brexit arrangements would be "for the public to decide" at the next Parliament.

Burnham also ruled out calling an early election within the next 12 months, rejecting claims that the cautious Budget was intended to create room for a snap poll.

BBC News - PoliticsBurnham insists 'no confusion at all' over his Brexit position The GuardianTory Brexit was ‘harder’ than promised in EU referendum, says Andy Burnham www.the-independent.comBurnham tells ministers to avoid backing specific EU options after crunch summit - www.the-independent.com HuffPost UKAndy Burnham Rules Out Holding A Snap Election In The Next 12 Months GB NewsAndy Burnham accused of 'abandoning' Makerfield constituents as locals claim he 'lied to everybody'Evening StandardBurnham tells ministers to avoid backing specific EU options after crunch summit

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