Hollande gives May ultimatum

At a joint press conference in the Élysée Palace, the French president made it clear that May was facing a choice about whether to accept free movement of people in return for free trade.

“It’s the most crucial point. That’s the point that will be the subject of the negotiation,” Holland said. “The UK today has access to the single market because it respects the four freedoms. If it wishes to remain within the single market it is its decision to know how far and how it will have to abide by the four freedoms. None can be separated from the other. There cannot be freedom of movement of goods, free movement of capital, free movement of services if there isn’t a free movement of people … It will be a choice facing the UK – remain in the single market and then assume the free movement that goes with it or to have another status.”

However, Hollande offered more support over May’s decision to wait until next year before triggering article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which formally kicks off the two-year process of the UK leaving the EU.

“I understand the government that has just been formed needs this time,” he said.

But nevertheless pushed for avoidance of delay citing economic reasons.

“But let me repeat, the sooner the better in the common interests of Europe … because uncertainty is the greatest danger. When economic players doubt the conditions under which the UK will leave and the relationship that will be maintained, there can be risks for stability of the European economy and therefore for jobs.”

The two leaders found most consensus on the issue of maintaining the existing Le Touquet agreement that means UK border checks are conducted in Calais in an attempt to control the flow of refugees and migrants across the channel.

“We have discussed the Le Touquet agreement, and president Hollande and indeed interior minister [Bernard] Cazeneuve have both been very clear from their point of view that they wish the Le Touquet agreement to stay. I want the Le Touquet agreement to stay,” May said. “I know there are those who are calling for it to go. There are those within France who are calling for it to go … Le Touquet is of benefit I believe to both the UK and France and we are both very clear Britain now having taken the decision to leave the EU, Le Touquet agreement should stay.”

May has held off making a promise guaranteeing the right to reside in the UK of all EU citizens until she gets pledges from other nations that the rights of Britons will be preserved.

“I expect to be able to do so, and the only situation in which that wouldn’t be possible is if British citizens’ rights in European member states were not being protected,” she said.

In the coming months, May is expected to make her way round more EU leaders as she lays the foundations for negotiations on Brexit, even though Brussels has banned formal and informal talks until article 50 is activated.