Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage have publicly exchanged sharp remarks about Brexit, on the eve of talks between British and European Union officials on freedom of movement. The dispute was sparked by the Prime Minister's drive for much closer ties with the European bloc.
According to a source, talks on freedom of movement will begin at the level of officials in London and Brussels. The issue remains one of the most painful in British politics since the country left the EU, as limiting immigration from Europe was one of the key arguments of Brexit supporters.
As reported by The Telegraph, Burnham accused his opponents of "reopening old wounds" and faced growing discontent within his own party over Brexit. Earlier, according to the BBC, Downing Street appeared to back away from the Prime Minister's proposal to hold a referendum on freedom of movement, adding uncertainty to the government's position.
The question of freedom of movement remains central to the future shape of Britain's relations with the EU. It is not yet known what specific agreements may be reached as a result of the talks, and the public spat between political leaders shows how deeply this issue still divides the British political class.