May on collision course with Conservative backbenchers over hard Brexit

Charles Grant, the director of the Centre for European Reform, has published a paper in which he reveals that negotiators in other countries including France and Germany are preparing to stand their ground in Brexit negotiations. They believe freedom of movement is a central part of the single market and are reluctant to make concessions in other areas. "She is trying to square a circle and none of us know how she plans to do it, but British companies will not be in the single market if she limits immigration and spurns or rejects ECJ rulings," said Grant.

On repealing EU law and then unpicking parts of legislation, he added: "The more our laws diverge from those of our partners, the less access we will have to the single market."