Macron gives UK hope of bespoke Brexit deal, but rules out full access

French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday said that Britain would be able to get a special deal with the European Union after Brexit, one of prime minister Theresa May’s objectives.

But in an interview with the BBC, Mr Macron said London’s financial centre could not enjoy the same level of access to the EU under Mrs May’s Brexit plan, in which Britain leaves the bloc’s single market and customs union.

But Mr Macron insisted he did not want to “unplug” the City from the EU, adding: “It doesn’t make sense, because it’s part of the whole financing of our European Union.”

He has said in the past that Britain could have pacts with the EU along the lines of those with Canada or Norway, but not its own special deal.

Asked whether that was fair, given how long Britain had been part of the EU, Mr Macron said: “No, it’s not a question to be fair or unfair. I take that as a reference. But for sure, you will have your own solution.

“This special way should be consistent with the preservation of the single market and our collective interests. And you should understand that you cannot by definition have the full access to the single market if you don’t tick the box.”

He insisted that Britain would not get full access to the EU’s single market without accepting its basic principles of freedom of movement and willingness to abide by EU jurisdiction.

“As soon as you decide not to join these preconditions, it’s not full access,” Mr Macron said. “So it’s something perhaps between this full access and a trade agreement.”

He repeated a warning he made during a visit to Britain on Thursday that full access to the EU single market for Britain’s financial services was not possible.

“It depends on the proposals made by the UK,” Mr Macron said. “But for sure, full access for financial services to the single market is not feasible, given the functioning of the single market. So by definition it’s not a full access.”

Mr Macron’s comments undermine the position of some Brexit supporters who want to regain control of the UK’s borders and shun the oversight of European courts while retaining access to the single market.

It will also dash the hopes of some in Britain who thought Mr Macron might be more flexible than German chancellor Angela Merkel in negotiating a deal.

Mr Macron’s influence within the EU is on the rise as Mrs Merkel’s position weakens after an election in September that eroded her power base.

She has still not been able to cobble together a coalition government, even after months of talks with other political parties.

Britain and the EU struck the opening lines of a divorce deal last month that paved the way for talks on future trade ties and boosted hopes of an orderly Brexit.