Merkel warns Cameron over EU immigration stance, claims report

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reported to have made clear she will withdraw her support for Britain’s continued EU membership if David Cameron insists on pushing through curbs on immigration. News weekly Der Spiegel quoted government sources as saying Ms Merkel fears the UK is approaching “the point of no return” and is becoming worried for the first time that a British exit is a real possibility. In response to the report, Downing Street said Mr Cameron remained determined to address the issue of immigration in renegotiating Britain’s EU membership.

A point of no return would be reached - that would be it then.

EU sources on behalf of Angela Merkel

"Should Cameron persist (in this plan), Chancellor Angela Merkel would abandon her efforts to keep Britain in the EU," the sources were quoted as telling the magazine. "With that a point of no return would be reached," they said, adding: "That would be it then." No member state has ever left the 28-nation bloc, although there is a legal mechanism for a country to do so if it chooses. Other member states cannot force a country out. Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s membership ahead of the Conservatives’ promised referendum by the end of 2017. He is under pressure to tighten the UK’s immigration controls to counter the growing popularity of ant-Europe party UKIP.

He was clear before the European Council that he recognises the British public have got concerns about the impact of EU migration here in the UK, and he is going to address these as part of the renegotiation.

Chancellor George Osborne

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