In a heated exchange on GB News, Camila Tominey confronted Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds over the Government's apparent U-turn on an EU-wide Youth Mobility scheme.
The clash centred on previous statements from both Thomas-Symonds and Prime Minister Keir Starmer explicitly ruling out such arrangements, with Camilla directly asking the Europe Minister if he had been "lying" to the public.
The confrontation comes as the Government prepares for a landmark summit with European leaders that could see significant changes to UK-EU relations.
Speaking on her GB News show, Camilla said: "In a written question in September 2024, you said and I quote 'We have no plans for an EU-wide youth mobility scheme, and there will be no return to freedom of movement.'
Nick Thomas-Symonds faced a grilling from the GB News host
GB News
"In the same month, the Prime Minister also told reporters that he had, quote, 'no plans for a youth mobility scheme.' You now have a plan for it. So, were you lying?"
Thomas-Symonds responded: "We would be open to sensible EU proposals, I’ve been saying that for some months.
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"But firstly, we will not return to freedom of movement. And secondly, any proposal must be consistent with the Government’s approach outlined in the migration White Paper last week, which is focused on reducing net migration.
"Net migration has been too high. People have been telling us this on the doorsteps. It quadrupled between 2019 and 2023 to just under one million.
"This Government is committed to bringing that number down and that is exactly what we will do."
She said: "But it is a form of free movement, isn't it? It's the free movement of European students. And you had ruled it out in September."
The Europe Minister responded: "It isn't freedom of movement. We have 13 existing youth mobility schemes. We've got a youth mobility scheme with Uruguay, for example. Nobody suggests we've got freedom of movement with Uruguay.
"I've said it has to be smart, it has to be controlled. That absolutely isn't freedom of movement. And it will also give, by the way, opportunities for young people here in Britain to experience different cultures, to go abroad, to work, to go abroad for study."
The exchange comes as Starmer prepares to host European leaders tomorrow for what has been described as a "landmark summit" that could significantly alter UK-EU relations post-Brexit.
According to reports, ministers are currently engaged in negotiations with the EU over a deal expected to include a youth mobility scheme allowing European under-35s to live and work in the UK.
The Prime Minister has framed the potential agreement in positive terms
ReutersThe Prime Minister has framed the potential agreement in positive terms, stating it would "be good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders."
However, politicians across the political spectrum have expressed concerns that the agreement could reverse significant aspects of the Brexit deal.
The Government's approach comes amid broader discussions about international agreements, with experts noting challenges in other areas of European cooperation.
Dr Christine Bicknell from the University of Exeter recently highlighted the complexities surrounding the EU's planned accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, describing it as a "three-dimensional puzzle" requiring careful management of relationships between countries and courts.
