Free movement of people from the EU to the UK could be extended after Brexit, Theresa May has suggested.
The prime minister said there would be an "implementation" phase once an exit deal had been struck, with business and governments needing a "period of time" to adjust to any new restrictions. The government insists Brexit will give the UK greater control of its borders. But Labour said Mrs May's comments showed she was trying to "downplay expectations". BBC deputy political editor John Pienaar says the comments clearly left open the possibility of free movement continuing, at least temporarily.
Speaking to journalists during her visit to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the PM was pressed on what would happen if there was a transitional phase after a Brexit deal is reached.
She said: "You've used the phrase transitional phase; I have used the phrase implementation period.
"Once we've got the deal, once we've agreed what the new relationship will be for the future, it will be necessary for there to be a period of time when businesses and governments are adjusting systems and so forth, depending on the nature of the deal - but a period of time when that deal will be implemented."
However, Mrs May said the government would still be in charge of its immigration policy.
"What is crucial for the British public, what was part of the vote that they took last year, was that they want to ensure that we have control of our borders and control of our immigration," she said."That's exactly what we will do when we come out of the European Union."
