Downing Street has appeared to backtrack on the prime minister's suggestion that he could call another referendum on whether to join the EU's freedom of movement.

Asked earlier by broadcasters if he could introduce freedom of movement without a referendum, Andy Burnham said "no".

But sources told the BBC no decision on that has been made and the prime minister's deputy spokesperson later said the government was not going to "get ahead" of how to consult the public.

Burnham has ruled out major changes to the UK's relationship with the EU before the next general election but says he wants start a conversation about potential options.

He told broadcasters that he would "never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit".

Migration dominated debate during the 2016 Brexit campaign, with the Leave campaign raising issues about freedom of movement allowing any EU citizen to move to the UK.

Burnham has said he is committed to Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out a return of free…