French minister invites UK to 'come all the way back' to the EU

French finance minister Roland Lescure told the BBC that Britain could "come back, anytime" after Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to explore closer ties with the EU, ranging from a customs union to full membership. Lescure said he wants the UK back to face emerging global threats together, while Burnham prepares security talks with Germany's Chancellor Merz. Any re-entry would pull a major nuclear-armed power back into a more centralised European bloc, a shift in the balance of power toward Europe, though no decision has been made and the options remain under review.