The Deputy PM joined the News Agents as he said that ‘our future is inextricably linked to the European Union’<\/p>\n
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David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister, appeared to break ranks with Labour over Brexit.<\/p>\n
Picture: David Lammy has refused to rule out the prospect of Britain rejoining the EU as he admitted the union holds the potential to ‘boost UK growth’.<\/p>\n The Deputy Prime Minister refused to rule out reversing Brexit on seven separate occasions when speaking in an exclusive interview with the News Agents<\/a> podcast, as he insisted that leaving the EU \u201cbadly damaged our economy\u201d.<\/p>\n During an interview on Thursday, the Deputy PM was seen to back a growing chorus of Labour voices as he insisted that the UK should consider closer ties with Brussels.<\/p>\n Admitting that rejoining the customs union was not \u201ccurrently\u201d the Government\u2019s official policy, Mr Lammy did concede that the growth potential of rejoining was \u201cself-evident\u201d.<\/p>\n Mr Lammy<\/a>, asked whether he would like to see Britain rejoin the customs union, said: \u201cThat is not currently our policy. That\u2019s not currently where we are.<\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>Rory Stewart urges public to be ‘more forgiving’ of Nigel Farage\u2019s school remarks in wake of anti-semitism claims<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>Nigel Farage demands BBC apology for 70s programmes after he was asked about school racism allegations<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBut you can see countries like Turkey with a customs union seemingly benefiting and seeing growth in their economy, and again, that\u2019s self-evident.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking on the benefits of the customs union, Mr Lammy admitted that other EU nations had \u201cseen growth\u201d as a result of membership.<\/p>\n He joins recent calls from a growing list of Labour MPs in support of rejoining the union, including the likes of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who demanded Labour undo “the economic damage done by Brexit”.<\/p>\n It comes as the OBR forecasts that leaving the EU will reduce productivity in Britain by 4 per cent in the long run.<\/p>\n However, Darren Jones, Sir Keir\u2019s chief secretary, appeared to hit back at Mr Lammy’s suggestions.<\/p>\n Speaking on Thursday in the Commons, he insisted that Labour\u2019s policy would be announced in Parliament and not \u201con podcasts\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking with the News Agents, Mr Lammy insisted: “It\u2019s self-evident that leaving the EU badly damaged our economy, took us out of an important marketplace and created serious friction. <\/p>\n “Untruths were being peddled.\u201d<\/p>\n The comments came as the justice secretary told LBC that criminals are \u2018playing the system\u2019 by opting for jury trials in a bid to prolong their time on bail.<\/p>\n Screen grab of Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy making a statement on criminal court reform in the House of Commons, London.<\/p>\n Picture:
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