Alarm over Brexit plot to keep door open for migrants

PLANS by Tory “Remainer” MPs to join up with Labour and force Theresa May to keep free movement for EU citizens after Brexit would be an “unforgivable betrayal” of voters, Leave campaigners have warned.

A group of hard-line proEU Tory MPs is understood to be in talks with Labour Remainers about stopping the Government from taking back control of immigration.

The row has broken out after one of the leading Tory Remainers, former education secretary Nicky Morgan, tried to allay fears that she will use the Treasury committee as a platform to stop Brexit.

Mrs Morgan insisted that she will “remain impartial”, despite winning the committee chairmanship through a coalition of Remain MPs from across all parties.

However, her name was last night linked to a group of at least 15 Tory MPs who are plotting with Labour to try to keep Britain in the European single market and under Brussels rule, while forcing the Government to allow in millions of EU citizens.

Other Tories identified were former ministers Ken Clarke, Anna Soubry and Dominic Grieve.

Yesterday Ms Soubry tweeted: “The way forward – set achievable interim goal of leaving while retaining Norway-style relationship.”

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said he had been in talks with Tory Remainers about staying in the single market and keeping free movement.

“I have been reaching out with a particular proposal to 15 Conservative MPs so far,” he said. “There is a growing recognition in the economy that getting the right transitional deal is the priority. What we need to do is to form a coalition of common sense to secure in particular a sensible, pragmatic transition deal, which in my opinion should be based on the European Economic Area.

“It is a sensible halfway house to give our economy the certainty it needs.”

The plotters have been condemned for betraying their election manifestos to deliver Brexit.

Richard Tice, of Leave Means Leave, said: “Remaining in the EEA is a betrayal of Brexit. It would effectively mean that Britain remains in the EU but with even less of a say than we previously had.”