Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he stands by his view that immigration to the UK from the EU is not too high.
He told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg migrants played a valuable role and he was not proposing new restrictions on the rights of people to come to the UK.
Mr Corbyn said Labour was not "wedded" to freedom of movement, but denied this represented any change of stance on his part.
The Conservatives accused Labour of being "in chaos" over immigration.
Mr Corbyn gave several media interviews ahead of a much-publicised speech on Brexit, discussing the issue of whether freedom of movement of EU citizens should persist once the UK leaves.
- Pienaar: Labour any happier now?
- Corbyn suggests maximum earnings limit
- UK in 'front seat' for US trade deal
- Brexit talks 'must be grown-up'
- UK in 'front seat' for US trade deal
In his speech, in Peterborough, Mr Corbyn said he supported "fair rules" and "reasonable management" of immigration after Brexit but said that must be set against continued access to markets for British business.
"Labour is not wedded to freedom of movement for EU citizens as a point of principle, but I don't want that to be misinterpreted, nor do we rule it out," he said.
"We cannot afford to lose full access to the European markets on which so many British businesses and jobs depend.
"Changes to the way migration rules operate from the EU will be part of the negotiations."
Talking to the BBC's political editor, Mr Corbyn, who has repeatedly insisted since becoming leader that EU migration to the UK is not too high, was asked if the speech meant he had now changed his view.
He replied: "No. My mind is quite clear that we need to end the exploitation that's going on, we need to maintain a market access within Europe and we need to ensure there are good relations between all communities."
Mr Corbyn said the focus should be on ending the abuse of low-skilled workers under existing EU employment rules and promoting more local recruitment - which he argued would "probably" reduce immigration, irrespective of Brexit.
Post a Comment