Front brakes binding

[grumble]

Les

When cool (now) the pedal feels tight. 
There is movement, but I wouldn’t say there is any “free play” as in the clutch pedal where the first 25mm is finger soft. 

Other times there is no play or movement at all

Barry the free play is adjustable on the push rod, it is only a matter of cracking the nut and screwing the shaft into the threaded section until you can move the pedal freely about 3mm at the master cyl. This can be done from under the car and checked by lightly pulling down on the pedal arm and releasing it, then tighten the nut.