DAVID Davis signalled a dramatic weakening of the Government's post-Brexit immigration policy by backing preferential treatment for EU migrants.

He said he's “not expecting a visa arrangement between ourselves and the European Union” as he confirmed that immigration policy would be on the negotiating table in trade talks with Brussels.

David Davis says he's 'not expecting a visa arrangement between ourselves and the European Union' Credit: AFP or licensors

The move that would significantly weaken hard-fought controls on EU citizens and enrage Ministers pushing for more generous visa schemes for Commonwealth countries.

Mr Davis wants to see a system of work permits introduced for Europeans - instead of treating them like migrants from the rest of the world who have to apply for visas.

Davis wants to see a system of work permits for Europeans instead of making them apply for visas Credit: Alamy

Mr Davis, speaking at a Spectator magazine Q&A with TV presenter Andrew Neil, said he doesn’t “foresee a visa arrangement” being implemented, adding: "I wouldn’t expect it the other way round either, that’s part of the point of the negotiations."

The Brexit Secretary said: "I don’t want to do the negotiation up front but the aim of the exercise is to run our immigration policy in the economic interests of the nation.

"So we aren’t going to switch off all the scientists, or the engineers, or for that matter even the farm workers necessarily.

"Because the effect of that will be to damage an industry.”

He added: “At the end of the day Parliament will decide what our immigration policy is."

Giving preferential treatment to EU migrants would go against what leading Vote Leave campaigners promised during the referendum. The likes of Boris Johnson and Priti Patel argued that leaving the EU would mean more immigration from elsewhere in the world.

Former International Development Secretary Priti Patel said tighter immigration controls impacted industries such as curry restaurants Credit: Alamy Live News

Foreign Affairs Secretary Boris Johnson argued that leaving the EU would mean more immigration from elsewhere Credit: PA:Press Association

Ms Patel, then a Cabinet minister, said uncontrolled immigration from the EU had led to tighter controls on talented migrants from elsewhere - and had impacted industries such as curry restaurants.

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