Free movement could continue after no-deal Brexit, suggests Javid

FREEDOM of movement will continue in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Sajid Javid has suggested.

The Home Secretary said a “sensible transition period” would be needed on the issue of immigration if the UK left the EU with no agreement. His remarks appeared to contradict those of a senior Home Office official who told the home affairs select committee on Tuesday that the intention was for free movement to be “turned off” the day after Brexit in a no-deal scenario.

It came as Theresa May’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister had full confidence in Caroline Nokes, the immigration minister, after she said employers would have to check whether EU nationals had the right to work in the UK if there was no deal. A Home Office clarification later insisted employers would not be expected to differentiate between resident EU citizens and those arriving after Brexit. Shona Dunn, the second permanent secretary at the Home Office, then went further, telling MPS: “If [no-deal] were the case, the Prime Minister has been very, very clear that she would want free movement turned off at that point in time.”

However, Mr Javid appeared to contradict Ms Dunn, saying: “If there was a no-deal – if – we won’t be able to immediately distinguish between those Europeans that were already here before March 29, and those who came after – therefore … I wouldn’t expect employers to do anything different than they do today.”

Asked if that meant that there would be a long period when EU citizens could continue to come to the UK to live and work, he said: “Of course there will need to be some kind of sensible transition period.”

Downing Street was asked repeatedly yesterday if Mr Javid’s assessment was correct. A spokesman said: “The work is ongoing and we will set out the details in due course.”