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Jeremy Corbyn has said Labour would keep freedom of movement after Brexit if they were in charge of the negotiations.

The Labour leader appeared to move away from the wording of the party's manifesto.

The party's programme for government contained a simple sentence in its section on immigration stating: simply: "Freedom of movement will end when we leave the European Union."

Speaking to Andrew Marr, Mr Corbyn disagreed that he was against freedom of movement.

He explained the issue would be "open for negotiation" under Labour.

His intervention will raise new unease in Leave-supporting heartlands that back curbs on immigration.

Mr Corbyn, asked why he was against freedom of movement, replied: "I'm not staunchly against freedom of movement. Our manifesto said the European system would not apply if you're not in the European Union - but I quite clearly recognise there has to be a lot of movement of workers.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Ask any company in manufacturing or any other sector how much they need and rely on workers from Europe and indeed the other way around."

"That would be part of our negotiations with the EU.

He added: "Part of our negotiations, the extent to which workers would transfer from one country to the other and what the needs for it would be."

Asked if Labour would keep free movement as a non-member of the EU, Mr Corbyn replied: "It would be open for negotiation the level of movement of people between Europe and this country if we're a non-member of the EU."