He said it was "not true" British nationals had not been allowed to apply for work on that part of the contract but the Italian firm had drawn on its "fixed workforce in order to get the work done".

BBC: EU workers 'no impact' on UK jobs

When they presented the plan to us, my responsibility to taxpayers is to look at those plans in a realistic way and figure are these plans going to work in order to put these auto companies on a firm, solid footing where they can operate without government subsidies and succeed, and compete in the marketplace.

WHITEHOUSE: Town Hall in Arnold, Missouri