What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A leaked Tory memo has revealed Theresa May’s secret Brexit strategy is to ‘have cake and eat it’ - but warns it is “unlikely” Britain will be allowed to stay in the EU’s single market.

The scribbled document carried out of Downing Street by a Tory aide also warns the Government is fearful of French efforts to pinch our valuable financial services industries after we leave.

It appears to offer the first real insight into Mrs May’s real thinking on what will happen after we leave the EU.

“What is the model? Have cake and eat it,” the document states hopefully.

The single page of handwritten notes was carried out of Downing Street by the chief of staff to backbench Tory MP Mark Field, who represents the City of London.

He held high level talks with officials in the new Brexit Department yesterday - and what appear to be his aide’s notes of the meeting were snapped by a photographer as they left the building afterwards.

Theresa May and Brexit secretary David Davies have been adamant that they will not be "giving a running commentary" on the negotiations, for fear it would weaken the country's negotiating position.

(Image: Barcroft Media)

(Image: Barcroft Media)

Even MPs will not be given key details of the concessions the Government is willing to make in the negotiation process until after Article 50 is triggered - which is due to happen early next year.

But this staffer might have over-shared a little.

(Image: Barcroft Media)

The page is full of cryptic notes - taking in the European Court of Justice, control of borders and UK exports.

The first paragraph includes the note: "Difficult on Article 50 implementation. [EU chief negotiator Michael] Barnier wants to see what deal looks like first. Got to be done in parallell - 20-odd negotiations. Keep the two years.

"Won't provide more detail. We think it's unlikely we'll be offered single market. Our criteria are clear - more open the better.

"Manufacturing relatively straightforward."

Later in the document, it appears to say: "What is the model? Have cake and eat it."

It also includes the warning: "Headlines won't change from now until March, though."

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

And a further bullet point appears to say "...trade with EU through DexU (Department for Britain Exiting the EU) not DIT (Department for International trade).

A Government spokesperson said: "These individual notes do not belong to a Government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the Government's position in relation to Brexit negotiations."

The transcript in full

Problematic for EU if we move decisively with no transition. Difficult on Article 50 implementation. [EU chief negotiator Michel] Barnier wants to see what deal looks like first. Got to be done in parallel - 20-odd negotiations. Keep the two years.

Won't provide more detail. We think it's unlikely we'll be offered single market. Our criteria are clear - more open the better.

Manufacturing relatively straightforward.

ECJ & control of borders won't fit. Transitional - loathe to do it. Whitehall will hold on to it. We need to bring an end to the negotiation.

Services harder - because French hoping for business.

VVD - biggest interest is internal market

Headlines won't change from now until March though.

[...]with transition for [...] stability but not [...] for it.

Why no Norway — Two elements — no ECJ intervention; — we’re a ruletaker beyond our trade with Europe.

[...]trade with EU through DexU [Department for exiting the European Union] not DIT [Department for international Trade].

Unlikely to do internal market.

[...]UK exports. Only 11% of our [...] exports.

[...]28.

[...]agreement.

What's the model? Have cake and eat it.

Very french negotiating team.

Need fair process guaranteed - in the Dutch interests too.

Canada Plus - more on services.

Europe gets a good deal on security

[...]EEA model not good

[...]if UK exporter [...] to various [...]couldn't give[...]

[...]we have common [...] be wary of accident [...]

Fearful for ECB

3. Free trade/free movement. Good, networks,[...]

[...]industrial and service sectors from manufacturing [...]

[...]looking at Canadian deal and add to it.

French likely to be most difficult. We want successful [...]

Don't want instability in Europe. Fearful of a competition. [...]

[...] like a Christian Democratic Union. If we have a bad deal, we'll [...]