David Cameron ruled out membership of the European Economic Area when he led the Remain campaign but is reported to have phoned Tory MPs urging them to back “the Norway option”

David Cameron is reported to have urged Conservative MPs to support a Norway-style Brexit deal that would keep the UK inside the EU’s single market.

Mr Cameron ruled out membership of the European Economic Area — which would tie the UK into continued contributions to the EU budget and mean continued freedom of movement — while leading the Remain campaign in last year’s referendum but is said to have telephoned former Tory colleagues this week to canvass support for a deal that is similar to Norway’s.

A senior Conservative MP told the Daily Express that the former prime minister “has been in touch with a number of backbenchers this week, trying to persuade them that the country should go for the Norway option”.

Mrs May