Downing Street is forced to clarify Andy Burnham's Brexit stance after he hinted at a return to EU free movement
A crowded migrant dinghy buckling under the swell in the Channel, as Andy Burnham argues Brexit left Britain with weaker control of its borders.Andy Burnham blamed Brexit for weakening control of immigration and for Britain's inability to return small boats migrants, as he prepares to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on 20…
A No 10 spokeswoman insisted Andy Burnham is "not proposing a return to freedom of movement" and is "crucially not leaning either way". Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons his call for an "honest discussion" was "not the same as settled policy". Burnham himself admitted "we've lost immigration control". Asked if the public would get a referendum, No 10 said "not at that stage yet".
Burnham said "no" to reinstating free movement without a referendum but ruled out rejoining this Parliament.
Sir Sadiq Khan declared rejoining the EU 'inevitable' after Burnham opened the door.
Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt branded rejoining a Labour 'mirage' hiding economic failure.
