May to vow end of EU free movement into UK

Prime Minister Theresa May will reportedly make a formal pledge ahead of the June 8 election to end European Union free movement of people into Britain.

British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks in Parliament

British Prime Minister Theresa May has won Westminster's approval to take the country to the polls. (AAP)

Prime Minister Theresa May will make a formal pledge ahead of the June 8 election to end European Union free movement of people into Britain, the Daily Mail newspaper reports, citing unidentified party sources.

May will also include pledges in her election manifesto to pull out of both the EU single market and European Court of Justice, the newspaper said.

May surprised allies, opponents and financial markets on Tuesday when she called a snap election for June 8.

Separately May held talks at 10 Downing Street with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani over MEPs' red lines for Brexit negotiations.

The parliament earlier this month agreed a hardline negotiating position which included demands for the UK to meet its financial obligations to the EU in full and delay talks on trade until after a divorce settlement is reached.

Any deal secured by May under Article 50 of the EU treaties must be approved by MEPs in a vote at the end of the two-year process, giving the European Parliament an effective veto.

The prime minister greeted Tajani with a handshake on the doorstep of Number 10, but the pair made no comment to waiting reporters.

Tajani last week said his priority for Brexit was "defending the rights of our citizens" affected by the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU.

May received a Brexit boost on Wednesday, with US House of Representatives speaker Paul Ryan saying the US stands ready to strike a free trade deal with the UK as soon as possible.


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Published 20 April 2017 7:14pm
Source: AAP


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