Britain CAN'T have tailor-made trade deal and must pay to access single market after Brexit, Macron tells Theresa May
BRITAIN can't have a bespoke Brexit deal and must accept EU migrants to keep single market access, Emmanuel Macron warned tonight.
Speaking alongside Theresa May, the French president vowed to protect the close links between Britain and France after we quit the EU.
But he said the UK wouldn't be able to cherry-pick the best parts of EU membership after Brexit.
Asked if the City can stay part of the European single market, Mr Macron replied, "If you want access to the single market – including the financial services – be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction."
He claimed Britain would have to choose between a Norway-style deal, tying Britain closely to the EU, or a Canada-style treaty which keeps some trade barriers.
During a joint press conference with the PM, Mr Macron added: "There must be no hypocrisy in this respect, otherwise it will not work or we would destroy the single market and its coherence."
The two leaders had lunch at a Michelin-starred pub before holding a defence and security summit at the Sandhurst military academy.
Speaking at the press conference this evening, Mrs May said: "Ours is a uniquely close relationship between two of the world's oldest and strongest democracies.
"Today we have agreed ways we can build on these ties for the benefit of all our citizens.
"Together we will continue to pay a full role to improve the security of the continent.
"The UK and France are forever neighbours, united in friendship, and by our common belief in freedom and justice, both at home and in the world."
Mr Macron also insisted that Brexit will not weaken the centuries-long bond between Britain and France as he listed the cross-Channel ties symbolised by the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK.
He told reporters: "I very much respect the choice made by the British people even though I regret it."
And he pointed out Britain's influence in the world is not linked to Brexit, saying: "What I know is the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and that will not be affected by Brexit."
In a reference to the Bayeux loan, Mr Macron concluded: "We are making a new tapestry together."
The two leaders brought large teams of senior ministers along with them – on the British side that included Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd and Gavin Williamson.
The Sandhurst summit was preceded by reports that Mr Macron wanted Mrs May to stump up extra cash to rejuvenate the Calais economy.
It comes after she has already pledged an extra £44.5million for border security.
The Times is reporting that senior UK government officials will reject the additional French demand, with one describing the request as “politically unsaleable”.
But it provided an awkward backdrop to the talks which took place at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, after the pair ate at The Royal Oak in Maidenhead.
Mr Macron tweeted a series of video clips showing him meeting members of Mrs May's team, including UK ambassador to Paris Lord Llewellyn, at the pub run by Sir Michael Parkinson and his son.
He wrote: "From Rodez to Yateley, these young French people are making the partnership between our two countries live."
The food was prepared by 21-year-old Craig Johnston, last year’s winner of MasterChef: The Professionals.
On the menu for the leaders at their working lunch was dressed crab with blood orange, radicchio and sorrel for starters, and Creedy Carver duck breast, roasted onion tartlet and beetroot purée.
Speaking earlier Mr Llewellyn did not deny the tensions, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “Obviously the most important thing about the economy for Calais is that the migrant camps remain under control.”
After it was revealed Mrs May was willing to hand over tens of millions of pounds to strengthen Britain's border controls Mr Macron was accused of squeezing as much as he can out of Britain in exchange for support in the Brexit negotiations.
And there has been criticism that the only thing we are getting in return is the potential loan of the Bayeux Tapestry – which could be displayed over here for the first time in hundreds of years.
But even that prospect is in doubt after the mayor of the Normandy town where it is on display suggested he might oppose the loan or make Britain pay to restore it.
Officials said the £44.5million cash injection would go towards fencing, CCTV and detection technology, and will go towards helping relocate people away from Channel ports.
And Britain could commit to taking in a higher proportion of child refugees from France as part of its commitment to resettle and extra 260 unaccompanied children under the Dubs refugee scheme, it is understood.
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But there is anger at the extra money, with Charlie Elphicke, Tory MP for Dover, said: “People will rightly ask why we are handing yet more money to France.
“That's now nearly £170million we've paid over the last few years. It is time we put the UK border first and invested in the Dover front line.”
But a Government spokeswoman said: "This is about investing in and enhancing the security of the UK border.
"Just as we invest in our borders around the rest of the UK, it is only right that we constantly monitor whether there is more we can be doing at the UK border controls in France and Belgium to ensure they are as secure as possible."
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