Downing Street has appeared to backtrack on the prime minister’s suggestion that he could call another referendum on whether to join the EU’s freedom of movement.
Asked earlier by broadcasters if he could introduce freedom of movement without a referendum, Andy Burnham said “no”.
But sources told the BBC no decision on that has been made and the prime minister’s deputy spokesperson later said the government was not going to “get ahead” of how to consult the public on major changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Burnham has ruled out major changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU before the next general election but says he wants start a conversation about potential options.
Migration dominated debate during the 2016 Brexit campaign, with the Leave campaign raising issues about freedom of movement allowing any EU citizen to move to the UK.
Burnham has said he is committed to Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out a return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union.
And he has previously stressed any changes would require a mandate at a general election, which is due by 2029.
After lengthy questioning about the issue, Number 10 sought to clarify the prime minister’s remarks, saying: “The prime minister isn’t proposing a return to freedom of movement or any option.
“The PM thinks the Brexit deal is not good enough.”
She said: “He is crucially not leaning either way and that will be for the British public to decide,” adding: “What he wants to do first is have a conversation with the public. The process will follow.”
Freedom of movement, which allows EU citizens to travel, live, study and work in any member country, is a precondition of membership of the EU’s single market.
The single market enables goods, services and people to move freely between member states, with countries also applying many common rules and standards.
Burnham told broadcasters that he would “never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit”.