Davis, the Secretary for State for Exiting the European Union, who leads the newly established ministry dismissed the idea that the UK could expel three million migrants from the EU who already live in Britain.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he said he wanted to secure a "generous settlement" for both EU migrants already in the UK and for UK citizens who live in continental Europe. Davis denied that he was using UK citizens in the EU as a "bargaining counter."

If large numbers of migrants arrive in the UK ahead of Brexit, "we may have to say that the 'right to indefinite leave to remain' protection only applies before a certain date," Davis said.

"We may have to deal with that," Davis said in the interview. "There are a variety of possibilities." One of those possibilities would be to allow residence only to migrants who arrive before a set date, he said.

Brexit 'buffer'

Unlike Prime Minister Theresa May, Davis was an outspoken proponent of Brexit during the referendum campaign. He has rejected forecasts that leaving the EU would cause a recession in the UK.

Outside of the bloc, the UK would become the "most open-market and open-minded country in the world," he said. New trade deals would also "buffer any turbulence" caused by the split, Davis added.

On Sunday, May's office announced in a statement that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had already proposed striking such a free trade deal with Britain "as soon as possible."

The statement said May had voiced her willingness to sign an agreement in the near future, while recognizing that Britain was legally prevented from striking deals of this kind while still an EU member.

May called it an "encouraging" sign for Britain's successful post-Brexit future that a partner such as Australia was already seeking a free-trade deal.

Turnbull, who recently retained power in a national election, on Sunday confirmed that he had discussed a free-trade agreement with May, describing their conversation on Saturday as "constructive."

Immigration still key

The UK official vowed to take a tough line in negotiating Brexit terms. He also dismissed claims that the EU would refuse to negotiate before London officially triggers exit procedure.

"We don't have to do any negotiations, just find out where their interests are. It's not the same thing," he said, adding that London would "know the shape of the deal" by the time it triggered Article 50 which marks the start of two years of formal negotiations.

Immigration has been the key factor for many Brexit supporters, with a large number of voters angry over workers arriving from Poland or Romania. It may also become a flashpoint in the EU exit talks. Namely, London aims to secure access to the joint European market, but Brussels has signaled such access is only possible if UK respects the four principles of EU membership - which include free movement of labor.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Boris Johnson as top diplomat Former London Mayor and avid Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson was appointed as foreign secretary. This move attracted almost as much attention as Wednesday's handover on Downing Street, especially abroad. Johnson's rollercoaster has taken him from prime ministerial front-runner, to political write-off, to top UK diplomat in weeks.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Hammond made Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has become Britain's new finance minister, replacing George Osborne. Hammond had served as foreign minister in the outgoing government of David Cameron since 2014. He will take over 11 Downing Street, the office next door to Prime Minister May at Number 10. Hammond, 60, had previously served as transport secretary when the Conservatives took over power in 2010.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Leadsom gets Environment Ministry after PM bid May appointed her last rival for the top job, Andrea Leadsom, as the new minister of the environment, fisheries and rural affairs. Leadsom pulled out of the race earlier this week, after allegedly suggesting that having children made her a better candidate than Theresa May. She later claimed the remarks were misconstrued. During the referendum campaign Leadsom called for the UK to leave the EU.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Fox to secure UK's trade connections Liam Fox will tackle the newly-created office of Secretary of State for International Trade. A fierce euroskeptic and former doctor, Fox had previously served as defense minister in 2010 and 2011 - a position he had to resign from after giving a close personal friend and lobbyist exclusive access to the the ministry. He also threw his hat in for the party leadership (for a second time) this year.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Amber Rudd takes May's old post Amber Rudd will succeed Prime Minister May as interior minister. She had formerly served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change after working as parliamentary private secretary to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne from 2012 to 2013. Rudd had also campaigned quite heavily for Britain to remain in the EU. May is expected to appoint a record tally of female ministers.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Davis as Secretary of State for Exiting the EU David Davis will occupy the newly-created office as the "Brexit Minister." He will be in charge of laying out a timeline for the UK - EU split, which the UK had voted in favor of on June 23. The euroskeptic Conservative lawmaker had declined to join the government under Prime Minister Cameron, serving as a backbencher instead. He's a renowned Tory rebel, not just on the issue of the EU.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Former accountant takes over cultural affairs May named Karen Bradley as UK's new Culture Minister. Bradley, a "remainer," previously worked as a junior minister for preventing abuse, exploitations and crime. Bradley once worked as an accountant and a tax advisor. She's taking over from John Whittingdale, one of the heads on May's first-week chopping block. Whittingdale's close ties to media mogul Rupert Murdoch had come under criticism.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Michael Fallon continues as Defense Secretary Michael Fallon will remain in his post as Defense Secretary in Theresa May's cabinet - an office he has held for more than two years. Fallon occupied a number of ministerial posts before and has represented two different constituencies in his career as a politician.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Truss moving up Liz Truss is taking the reins of the justice ministry, after serving as environment minister under Cameron. One of her speeches went viral last year after she dramatically pointed out that Britain imports two thirds of its cheese. "That. Is. A. Disgrace," she said, staring intently into the camera. Similar to new PM Theresa May and colleague Jeremy Hunt, Truss supported staying in the EU.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Hunt still on the job Health Minister Jeremy Hunt confirmed he would keep his post in the new cabinet. "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated," Hunt tweeted, paraphrasing Mark Twain. The Tory has waged a long-running battle with junior doctors in Britain over new government contracts. After a series of strikes, Hunt said last week the government would simply force the doctors to accept the deal.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Greening in charge of education Justine Greening is another one of Cameron's ministers getting a new job under Theresa May. Greening is moving from the Ministry of International Development to head up the Ministry of Education, Women and Equalities. The new education secretary backed the "Remain" camp. Greening stated she was in a same-sex relationship in June this year, making her the first openly gay cabinet member.

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet May's right-hand-man made Transport Minister New Transport Secretary Chris Grayling previously served as the leader of the House of Commons and May's campaign chief. Unlike May, however, Grayling was a high-profile Brexit campaigner. Ahead of the cabinet reshuffle, Grayling said there was no hurry for the UK to leave and that the Article 50 "should be triggered when we're ready."

Theresa May's vision for Brexit Britain: the new British cabinet Patel facing post Brexit clear-up May appointed Priti Patel, another "Brexiteer," as the Minister of International Development. The Indian-origin conservative once said that the immigration from within the EU was "out of control - and cannot be controlled as long as we stay in the EU." Patel also argued that Turkey would soon be joining the EU – hours after Cameron said this wasn't likely this millennium.



dj/jm (AFP, Mail on Sunday)