Osborne’s vow to fight migration crackdown

EUROSCEPTIC MPs hit out at George Osborne last night after the ex-chancellor said membership of the EU’s customs union and continued high immigration were still ‘up for grabs’ after Brexit.

Mr Osborne – architect of the Remain campaign’s Project Fear – said he would ‘vigorously challenge’ the vision of Brexit supporters, insisting there was no need to ‘radically clamp down on immigration’ or leave the customs union.

And he suggested MPs were within their rights to push for a ‘soft’ EU exit. His words are in sharp contrast to the Prime Minister’s vow to leave both the single market and customs union, as well as bring down immigration.

Mr Osborne, who is editor of the London Evening Standard, also hinted he would consider a return to politics – but that was not his plan A.

Last night Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: ‘The customs union is not for the UK. Leaving it is what Brexit is all about, free trade around the world independently of the EU and a truly global Britain is happening and nothing must stand in its way.’

Mr Osborne also said he had disagreed with the decision to hold a vote, telling Radio ’s Today show: ‘I was not keen on having a referendum in the first place.’

‘Nothing must stand in its way’