EU leaders deliver massive immigration blow to David Cameron by saying UK must keep freedom of movement if it wants to stay in the Single Market
In a meeting without the Prime Minister they made it clear they were determined not to give ground on key issue
BRITAIN will not get access to the single market unless it maintains freedom of movement according the remaining EU leaders as they plot to stitch up Britain’s Brexit negotiations.
In a meeting of the other 27 national figureheads, but without David Cameron, they delivered a stinging rebuff to the Prime Minister over immigration reform.
He warned them over dinner last night that migration was a key factor behind last week's historic vote to lsever ties with Brussels.
And he said refusal to budge on the issue could scupper hopes of a deal on close trading relations with his successor in Number 10.
But they ignored Mr Cameron and delivered a "crystal clear" message that the UK will have to continue to accept free movement of EU citizens if it wants tariff-free access to the European Single Market, in a move that will infuriate Brexit-backers.
The Prime Minister told the House of Commons the UK was facing "choppy waters ahead" and urged his replacement to negotiate "the closest possible relationship" on trade with its former EU partners.
But after chairing an informal session of the 27 national leaders, meeting without the UK for the first time, European Council president Donald Tusk made clear they were determined not to give ground on free movement.
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"Leaders made it crystal clear that access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms - including freedom of movement," said Mr Tusk.
"There will be no single market a la carte."
His comments were backed by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who said that anyone wanting free access to the internal market had to accept the principles of free movement of goods, services, people and capital "without exception and without nuances".
The Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he did not 'rule out' securing a deal on freedom of movement.
But he admitted it would be a “very difficult negotiation” to secure curbs on immigration while maintaining access to the single market.
He added: “I don't rule out the possibility of us being able to reach some accommodation on freedom of movement.
“I'm just pointing out that this is not just a trading chip as far as many Europeans are concerned it is about a very fundamental principle which they hold dear.
“I think it's going to be a very difficult negotiation."
He added: “Those, and there are some of my colleagues in the Conservative Party saying things at the moment like ‘it'll be straightforward to agree access to the Single Market and there'll be no need to have freedom of movement’, I'm afraid they are simply betraying a lack of understanding of the political realities in the European Union.”
Mr Hammond denied he was taking a swipe at Boris Johnson, insisting he “wasn't at all talking” about the former London Mayor.
The 27 states are to meet again to discuss their approach to Brexit in Slovak capital Bratislava on September 16, but Mr Cameron's successor as PM is not expected to be invited.