No 10 clarifies Andy Burnham’s stance on freedom of movement

Andy Burnham had indicated that staying out of free movement would no longer be a red line in discussions about a closer relationship with the EU. Photograph: Carlos Jasso/Pool AFP/AP

Downing Street has been forced to clarify Andy Burnham’s stance on whether the UK would return to having freedom of movement with the EU after the prime minister said an “honest discussion” was needed on the issue.

Burnham fuelled speculation about a return to freedom of movement in an interview at the weekend, prompting questions about how close the UK could become to Brussels.