Theresa May launches Tory leadership bid

Theresa May has launched her bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, saying there is "no mandate" for a deal with the EU that involves accepting the free movement of people from the continent.

The Home Secretary said it "must be a priority" to allow British companies to trade with the single market but also to "regain more control of the numbers of people coming here from Europe".

"Any attempt to wriggle out of that, especially from leadership candidates who campaigned to leave the EU by focusing on immigration, will be unacceptable to the public," she said.

• Theresa May on access to the single market and immigration

Mrs May, who campaigned to Remain, also said Article 50 should not be invoked before the end of the year, adding that the British negotiating strategy needs to be "agreed and clear" before formal notification is given of Britain's intention to leave the EU.

Speaking in central London, Mrs May said she put herself forward to succeed David Cameron to provide:

• "strong, proven leadership" to negotiate the "best possible terms" with the European Union

• leadership that can "unite the party and country"

• a "bold, new positive vision" that "doesn't work for the privileged few but for every one of us"

She added "Brexit means Brexit" and the party should respect the wishes of the people.

"The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high, and the public gave their verdict.

"The must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum.

"The country voted to leave the European Union and it is the duty of the government and parliament to make sure we do just that."

Mrs May also said there will be:

• no general election until 2020

• no emergency budget

• no change in trading arrangements with the EU in the near future