Britain will not negotiate with Europe over immigration, David Davis said yesterday, as he pledged that control of the country’s borders would be brought “back here” after Brexit.
The Brexit secretary’s tough stance will reassure Conservatives who are worried the government may concede higher immigration levels in return for better access to European markets.
Mr Davis said immigration levels would be set “in the national interest” and could not be subject to any guarantees or promises in return for a better economic deal. That included any promises for European citizens to get preferential access to UK markets, he said.
He also revealed that it would be at least February before the government would publish any details of its negotiating strategy while admitting he was prepared