- Title: Britain's Johnson says Brexit means taking back control of immigration
- Date: 1st December 2016
- Summary: ROME, ITALY (DECEMBER 1, 2016) (REUTERS) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY BORIS JOHNSON ARRIVING FOR CONFERENCE POLICEMAN ON MOTORBIKE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY BORIS JOHNSON SAYING: "The key point is that in or out of the European Union, we are coming out of the European Union but we are not coming out of Europe. We know that our commitment to European stability and security is vital and that commitment extends to the borders of the Mediterranean as well." EXTERIOR CONFERENCE VENUE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY BORIS JOHNSON SAYING: "I'm a long standing supporter of immigration. What I said very clearly to that group of ambassadors, I think it was at a breakfast, was that immigration had been a good thing for the U.K. in many respects but it had got out of control and that we needed to take back control. I think you will find the record reflects that. " JOURNALIST SHOUTING: Are you in favour of the single market? JOHNSON ENTERING LIFT (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY BORIS JOHNSON SAYING: "Take back control, that is why we are leaving the EU." LIFT DOOR CLOSING POLICE OUTSIDE VENUE
- Embargoed: 16th December 2016 13:59
- Keywords: Britain Johnson Italy Immigration
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B1ZI9Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Thursday (December 1) that the country's planned exit from the European Union is about taking back control of immigration, not allowing free movement.
In a Sky News report from earlier in the day, four EU ambassadors who were not named said Johnson told them he was personally in favour of allowing free movement of people within the bloc, a position at odds with Prime Minister Theresa May.
May has said the June referendum result was a message from British voters that free movement of people from the EU could not continue as it has done.
On arrival at Mediterranean conference in Rome regarding migration, Johnson didn't directly answer the question whether he was in favour of free movement.
"The key point is that in or out of the European Union, we are coming out of the European Union but we are not coming out of Europe," Johnson told reporters.
"We know that our commitment to European stability and security is vital and that commitment extends to the Mediterranean as well," he said.
But in the lobby of the Rome hotel hosting the conference, cornered by British journalists, Johnson said he told EU ambassadors that Britain was leaving the bloc to be able to better control immigration.
"What I said very clearly to that group of ambassadors, I think it was at a breakfast, was that immigration had been a good thing for the U.K. in many respects, but it had got out of control and that we needed to take back control."
Afterwards as he ducked into an elevator, Johnson would not respond directly to the question about whether he supported free movement of people, shouting back as the door closed: "Take back control, that is why we are leaving the EU."
Brexit minister David Davis earlier said the report that Johnson had told several EU ambassadors he supports freedom of movement were "completely at odds" with what he believed Johnson's view to be. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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