The Home Secretary has come under fire for threatening to deport European Union migrants already living in Britain when the UK leaves the EU.

During the EU referendum the Leave campaign said it did not want EU nationals already in the UK to be repatriated after Brexit.

But Theresa May and her team at the Home Office have now suggested that it would not be a given that EU national could remain in the UK after Article 50 negotiations conclude.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said today it would be “unwise” to guarantee EU nationals living in the UK assurances they could stay without UK nationals abroad getting the same assurances.

Mr Brokenshire was subjected to shouts of “Where's Theresa?” as he addressed the House of Commons on Monday.

Ms May has said that whether EU nationals living in Britain could stay would be a factor in Brexit negotiations.

Mr Brokenshire backed Ms May's previous remarks, saying: “It has been suggested the Government could now fully guarantee EU nationals living in the UK the right to stay.

“This would be unwise without a parallel assurance from European governments regarding British nationals living in their countries.

Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Show all 12 1 /12 Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Brexit protest: Thousands march in London A woman poses with a home-made European Union flag as Remain supporters gather on Park Lane in London to show their support for the EU in the wake of Brexit PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Remain supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the result of the EU referendum PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London A majority of people in the capital voted to remain in the European Union Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Protesters chanted: “What do we want to do? Stay in the EU” PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The march follows a similar rally in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain – but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent Reuters Brexit protest: Thousands march in London But support for the Leave campaign in urban areas and among young people was significantly lower Rex features Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11am and marched towards Parliament Square PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London Some protesters held up baguettes in a display of affection for our continental neighbours PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a four million signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed push for Scotland to cede from the UK PA Brexit protest: Thousands march in London The event’s organiser, King’s College graduate Kieran MacDermott, wrote: “We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button" Reuters

“Such a step might also have the unintended consequence of prompting EU immigration to the UK.”

But Labour’s Andy Burnham accused the Government of “threatening” migrants and “creating the conditions for the unwelcoming climate to continue and the rise in xenophobic and racist abuse that we have seen”.

The shadow home secretary, who has three children with his Dutch wife, said: “Any uncertainty hanging over their right to be here is tantamount to undermining family life in our country and that does not strike me as a very prime ministerial thing thing to do.

“But it is what the Home Secretary did yesterday. She said people who have an established life here would be part of negotiations with Brussels.

“For people making a huge contribution to our society to be talked of as a bargaining chip is insensitive to say the least but when she adds that quote 'nobody necessarily stays anywhere forever', it becomes quite threatening.

“I hope the minister will go back and tell the Home Secretary that my own kids would quite like their mum to stay here forever if that is OK with her."

He continued: “If the Home Secretary wants to be the person to lead us out of it she needs to have the courage to come to this House and clear up her own mess.”