A bitter war of words broke out today over David Cameron's plan to cap the number of immigrants moving to Britain from Europe. European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said it was 'quite clear' that restrictions on foreign workers would be illegal under EU law and said the matter was not up for negotiation. Tory chairman Grant Shapps reacted furiously to Mr Barroso’s remarks. He said: ‘It’s extraordinary for an unelected bureaucrat to dismiss Britain, which will be the second largest economy in Europe next year. I think he is out of touch with the main stream public opinion in Britain.’
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Jose Manuel Barroso said free movement was a 'fundamental principle'
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European Commission president said 'arbitrary caps' were against EU law
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Also rebuked Philip Hammond over boast  UK was 'lighting a fire' under EU
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Tory chairman Grant Shapps dismisses Barroso as 'unelected bureaucrat'
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He says it was 'extraordinary' for EU to 'dismiss' concerns over Britain
Jose Manuel Barroso
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Jose Manuel Barroso
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@placeholder, the European Commission President, poured cold water on Tory plans to restrict EU immigration into the UK
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David Cameron is working on plans to cap @placeholder migration
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'Non-EU migration is now at its lowest levels since the 1990s - and we are committed to putting @placeholder migration right at the heart of our negotiations in Europe.