British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced to clarify his position on joining the EU customs union after his deputy David Lammy admired how membership had stimulated growth in other countries, PA media/DPA reported.
In connection with Lammy's comments, the Prime Minister was asked why he did not advocate membership, given that growth is a constant priority for his government.
He replied that the Labour Party would stick to its program, in which it committed to deepening ties with the EU, without returning to the customs union, the single market or free movement.
"Well, the position that we take is clearly set out in the program and we are following it. Earlier this year we held the first UK-EU summit and set out 10 areas for closer relations.
So we have completely reconfigured our relationship with the EU.
It is good for our economy, good for defence and security, good for the work we have to do on energy.
And we have really transformed, in 17 months in power, from a country that seemed disinterested in being on the world stage, into a country that is again respected and that other countries look to for influence, for advice, for partnerships."
His office had previously insisted that Starmer would stick to his "red lines" as he tries to rebuild London's ties with the EU, DPA reported.
Deputy Prime Minister Lamy said it was "obvious" that countries like Turkey, that have a customs union with the EU have seen economic growth thanks to this fact.
On the News Agents podcast, he said: "It is clear that leaving the European Union has caused serious damage to our economy, taken us out of an important market and created serious friction, and those who thought leaving the EU would be a good thing were spreading untruths.
That is why every day, while I was foreign minister, I returned to the topic of our relationship with the European Union," he said.