Andy Burnham's push to reverse Brexit descended deeper into confusion today as the Home Secretary warned of 'significant issues' with free movement.
Shabana Mahmood hinted at concerns about a return to open border rules despite the PM ordering ministers to keep their views under wraps.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham himself risked sparking more chaos by insisting he is not 'proposing' free movement yet.
Instead he claimed to want an 'honest discussion' about how leaving the EU had meant more 'long-term settlement in bigger numbers'.
In an interview after unveiling watered-down immigration reforms last night, Ms Mahmood was pressed on Mr Burnham's decision to start a debate on rejoining the bloc and accepting free movement.
'What I am keen on is abiding by our manifesto,' she told Sky News.
Shabana Mahmood hinted at concerns about a return to open border rules despite the PM ordering ministers to keep their views under wraps
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham himself risked sparking more chaos by insisting he is not 'proposing' free movement yet
'The Prime Minister has himself recognised that there were significant issues with the free movement of people, and that should also be part of the debate that we're going to have as a country about our Brexit settlement and what we do for the future.'
Asked whether she agreed with his assessment that the UK would have more control over migration if the UK rejoined the EU, she said losing access to EU-wide databases after Brexit had 'had a very significant impact on us and our ability to manage migration into this country'.
In a separate appearance on ITV, Mr Burnham said: 'I have not proposed freedom of movement coming back.
'I do believe that we should have an honest discussion with people about how immigration has changed since the Brexit vote because the shorter term migration of people coming from Europe and then going back has been replaced with long term settlement in bigger numbers, and that was the Boriswave.'
He said this had 'led to more illegal migration because we can't share data anymore' with European partners.
Mr Burnham, who fought a by-election in Leave-voting Makerfield that served as a stepping stone into No 10 with a promise not to 're-run' Brexit arguments, said he had noticed during the campaign that public opinion had changed in the constituency over the decade since the 2016 Brexit vote.
He continued: 'I think public opinion has changed nationally.
'But I want to be really clear on this issue. I will not run ahead of public opinion. The public need to be the boss when it comes to whatever happens with Brexit.'
The PM's call for an 'honest discussion' about a return to freedom of movement has prompted a frenzy in Labour circles.
Confusion mounted after he was pressed on how any change in Labour's manifesto red lines - ruling out rejoining the customs union and single market - would be put to voters.
Mr Burnham initially said there would be no shift within this Parliament and signalled that he could fight the next general election on a promise to take the UK back into the bloc.
But in another interview, he said 'no' when asked whether he would allow the UK to reinstate EU freedom of movement without a referendum.
That forced Downing Street to clarify that he was 'not leaning either way' on how to move forward or whether there needed to be a national vote.
In a letter to the Cabinet, Mr Burnham warned ministers against publicly advocating for any specific outcome after the EU-UK summit later this month.
'In the period beyond the summit, Government policy will be to explore options for the long-term relationship with the EU for consideration in the next Parliament,' he said.
'At the end of this process, we will set out to the country the respective merits and drawbacks of the various options.
'It is important that we remain aligned and disciplined as a Government in our messaging throughout this period.
'It will not be appropriate for ministers individually to advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process.'
Asked this morning whether she wanted to see free movement, asylum minister Anna Turley told Sky: 'My priority is sorting out the system that we've got, getting young people in my constituency into work, making sure we've got an immigration system that is not chaotic, that is controlled, that we stop the illegal migration through small boats, that we get a grip on removals.'
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