Minister for Brexit’s claim about single market access is ‘not policy’ Downing Street says

david-davis

David Davis’s claim that it is “very improbable” Britain will stay in the EU single market is “his opinion” – and not policy, Downing Street has said.

The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on Monday told the House of Commons that if border controls were not allowed within the single market the UK would most likely leave it.

On Tuesday a Number 10 spokesperson however distanced the Prime Minister from the comments.

Asked whether Mr Davis was speaking for the Government, the Downing Street spokesperson said it was the minister’s opinion and that there were “differing views” on the subject.

“Saying something is improbable or probable I don’t think is necessarily policy,” she said.

“He said it was improbable; he’s setting out his view that it’s improbable. The Prime Minister wants to have the work underway – she recognizes that people have their differing views and that’s why we need to do the work that there is.

“All of this is going to have to be negotiated with our European partners and the Prime Minister’s view is that we should go after the best deal we can.”