Boris Johnson insists he did not tell diplomats he backs keeping free movement of EU citizens in and out of a post-Brexit Britain
The Foreign Secretary said he told four European ambassadors ‘very clearly’ immigration was ‘out of control’
BORIS Johnson has insisted he did not tell diplomats he backs keeping freedom of movement for EU citizens into and out of a post-Brexit Britain.
The Foreign Secretary admitted he did tell four EU member state ambassadors "very clearly" that immigration was good for the UK.
But in contrary to reports last night, he said he added that it has got "out of control" and uncontrolled migration must end after we exit the trading bloc.
It comes after sources close to Mr Johnson described the claims as a "total lie".
The supposed remarks, reported by Sky News, were seen as controversial given Mr Johnson's prominent role in the Brexit campaign which made ending free movement central to its pitch to voters.
Speaking to the news channel in Rome, Mr Johnson said: "I'm afraid I said absolutely no such thing and as you know perfectly well I've been a long-standing supporter of immigration.
"And what I said very clearly to that group of ambassadors, I think it was at a breakfast, was that immigration had been a good thing for the UK in many respects, but it had got out of control and that we needed to take back control.
"I think you will find the record reflects that."
Former party leaders Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have attacked Mr Johnson for treating voters like "fools" and criticised his "buffoonery", while shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said they showed up the Government's "non-strategy".
Theresa May’s spokesman backed up her Cabinet minister, saying: “the Foreign Secretary was setting out some views that he has made before about the benefits of immigration to this country, while also making clear that he wants to take back control of immigration.
The Number 10 aide added: "That is the Government's policy and that is what we will be pursuing in our exit from the EU."
She added: "The Prime Minister has been clear that one of the key objectives of our exit from the European Union will be to take back control of immigration from the EU.
“As part of that, we have been clear that we want to deliver on the Government's aim to reduce migration to sustainable levels."