Brexit deal could be blocked by European Parliament over Boris Johnson's treatment of EU citizens, Guy Verhofstadt

The MEP also called Brexit "not a very intelligent choice"
Bronwen Weatherby19 December 2019
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Boris Johnson's Brexit deal could be blocked by the European Parliament over the UK's treatment of EU citizens, the body's Brexit coordinator has said.

Guy Verhofstadt today called for "remaining problems" with citizen's rights post-Brexit to be solved before giving consent to the Brexit treaty.

The MEP spoke today in Brussels and said he had received hundreds of letters from both EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living abroad in Europe concerned they will be left with no immigration status.

"Since the elections in Britain, I have received hundreds and hundreds of letters and mails of British citizens living in Europe panicking about their statute," said Mr Verhofstadt.

Guy Verhofstadt said Boris Johnson's Brexit deal could be blocked
PA

"I have received hundreds of mails of EU citizens living in Britain panicking about their statute and I think we need to solve that first before we give our consent on this Brexit treaty."

The parliament is yet to vote on the agreement and could potentially cause a roadblock for Mr Johnson who wants to have fully withdrawn the UKs membership from the block by January 31.

Boris Johnson is intent on 'getting Brexit done' by January 31
PA

Mr Verhofstadt said: "Everyone presumes the European Parliament will give automatically its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement. Not if the remaining problems with the citizens' rights are not solved first.

"Citizens can never become the victims of Brexit."

He added that he thinks the choice of the British to vote for Brexit was "not a very intelligent choice".

Although Mr Verhofstadt is just one MEP and does not represent all representatives - who could choose to back the deal - his speech was met with a round of applause.

A number of ministers have raised concerns about the possibility of EU citizens facing deportation if they do not make the deadline to sign up for the Home Office's settlement scheme.

Concerns in Brussels go as far as to suggest the scheme could cause another Windrush scandal with the Home Office using the application process to find reasons to eject people rather than help them maintain their settled status.

Mr Johnson's deal must get past the MEPs, but the date for the parliament's vote is yet to be arranged although it should take place after the UK Commons vote.

Home Office Minister of State Brandon Lewis said: “EU citizens are our friends, colleagues and neighbours. We recognise the enormous contribution they make to the UK and we want them to stay.

“We have already provided certainty to over two million people who have been granted status through the EU Settlement Scheme. Our Scheme is free, there is plenty of support for applicants and more than a year left to apply.

“We have done far more than any other EU member state has done for British citizens, and it’s time they adopted a similarly generous approach.”

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