BORIS Johnson was forced to make a U turn yesterday over promises he made during the EU referendum campaign as he abandoned his key Leave pledge to introduce a points-based immigration system in post Brexit Britain.

The Conservative Foreign Secretary announced the climbdown after a meeting with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop and days after Prime Minister Theresa May made clear she believed such an approach would be wrong.

It is the latest backtracking from a Brexiteer after Nigel Farage had to disown a promise that a vote to leave the EU would mean £350 million a week more funding to the NHS.

After the talks between British and Australian ministers in London Johnson said repeated his campaign slogan that the “crucial” point was to “take back control”.

The former London Mayor said: “The crucial utensil that needs to be applied is, of course, control and you may remember there was a campaign on which the slogan was ‘take back control’. That was the ambition.”

But Stephen Gethins, Europe spokesman for the SNP, said the climbdown was indicative of the mess the UK Government was in over Brexit.

Gethins told The National.“The UK Government is in a complete mess over what Brexit means. It is a mark of a irresponsible government, carrying on an irresponsible Leave campaign, that almost three months after the EU referendum we still don’t have even the most basic details about what leaving the European Union could mean.”

“Freedom of movement has been good for Scotland and EU nationals who have made Scotland their home contributing massively to our economy and enriching our social fabric deserve much better than this.”

Under the Australia immigration system people hoping to move to the country have to gain 60 points with these awarded on age, work experience and education.

Only applicants under 50 years old are considered. Those aged between 25 and 32 are automatically awarded 30 points, with over 45s starting at zero. A doctorate from a recognised institution is worth 20 points, for example, while accountants and mechanics can earn 60 points for their experience.

Hopefuls can gain extra points if they have previously worked in Australia or studied in certain areas of the country.

As well as earning the required points, some migrants must be sponsored by an employer or family member. Without an employer sponsorship, prospective residents must work in one of the occupations on the approved list – each of which has an annual intake limit.

May dismissed calls for an Australian-style system earlier this week, saying: “There is no silver bullet that is the answer in terms of dealing with immigration.”

Speaking at the G20 summit in China, she argued that a points-based system was open to abuse. She added: “What the British people voted for on June 23 was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union into the UK. A points based system does not give you that control.”

Securing an agreement with Australia is a top priority for the UK but the Canberra government has given mixed messages in recent days. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promised an ‘’early... very strong, very open’’ agreement with Britain after meeting May earlier this month.

But trade minister Steven Ciobo has described his country’s historical tie with the UK as ‘’a relationship of yesteryear” and dampened hopes of a swift deal, insisting formal negotiations could not begin until the UK had finally left the EU.

Johnson met Bishop at the annual Australia-UK Ministerial Meeting in London yesterday. Ahead of the meeting, he said: “Australia is a long-standing and true friend of the UK, and I look forward to productive talks on how we tackle some of the challenges facing both of our great nations.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to reaffirm how important the UK-

Australia relationship is to us and to celebrate our shared history, values and the strong links between our people.”

The meeting, held at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, home to veteran soldiers, also included talks between defence secretary Michael Fallon and opposite number Marise Payne.

Their discussions focused on the terror threat, including tackling Daesh, and the war and humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Fallon said: “Britain and Australia have a rich history of close military partnership and our defence alliance is as strong as ever. From vital intelligence sharing to the fight against Daesh, we’re working together to keep our people safe.”

What they said about Brexit

THE message from Japan that it could pull its companies out of the UK under a Brexit deal it sees as unfavourable is among a string of warnings sounded to Theresa May.

At a press conference at the G20 summit in China this week, US President Barack Obama repeated his comments made before the referendum that Britain would be at the “back of the queue” for a trade deal.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, has said: “It sounds brutal but it must be obvious for all of us that we are in this process to protect our own European interests, the interests of 27 countries. 

For me, it’s one of the biggest challenges of my life, as I have no experience with divorce.”

The UK has pinned considerable hope in negotiating a trade deal with Australia but Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said talks could not begin until Britain completed its exit from the EU.



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