MAY DEFENDS 'FAIR' OFFER FOR EU CITIZENS POST BREXIT

MAY DEFENDS 'FAIR' OFFER FOR EU CITIZENS POST BREXIT



Theresa May insisted her offer to let 3.2million EU nationals stay after Brexit was 'fair' today - despite it being bluntly dismissed by top Eurocrats today.

The PM defended her bid to break the deadlock on reciprocal rights for citizens, making clear she was determined to take back control of the UK's borders and laws.

But European Council president Donald Tusk complained that the proposals were 'below our expectations'.

And EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker waded in to brand the plan 'not sufficient'.

With formal Brexit negotiations less than a week old, the stage is now set for a major row over whether European courts can keep meddling after we leave.

Some EU figures are pushing for its citizens to keep rights in the UK that would be superior to those of Britons.

Under Mrs May's plans, unveiled on the eve of the anniversary of the Brexit referendum, EU nationals who have lived in the UK for five years by a specific cut-off date would be given the chance to take up 'settled status'.



They would be granted the same rights as British citizens to stay in the country and receive healthcare, education, welfare and pensions.

Those resident for a shorter period will have the opportunity to stay on until they have reached the five-year threshold.

Anyone arriving after the cut-off date but before the date of Brexit will have a 'grace period' - expected to be two years - within which they can pave the way to seek settled status later.



The cut-off date is yet to be set, but will come between the day when Britain formally notified Brussels of its intention to quit on April 29 2017 and the day when it finally leaves, expected to be March 29 2019.

Despite criticism from Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker, Mrs May told a press conference at the end of the summit this afternoon: 'I remain of the view that this is a fair and serious offer.

'What we are saying is that the citizens who came to the UK ... will be able to stay and we will guarantee their rights.'

Mrs May admitted: 'There are some differences between that and the proposals the European Commission put out.



'That will go into the negotiations.'

Mrs May said she was pleased that other leaders such as Poland's Beate Szydlo had 'reacted positively' to the proposals.

Over dinner with EU counterparts last night, Mrs May sent a tough message on the question of whether the bloc would retain legal control after Brexit.

'The commitment that we make to EU citizens will be enshrined in UK law and will be enforced through our highly respected courts,' she said.

A senior British official added: 'We have been clear on the ECJ that we are taking back control of our own laws.'

German Chancellor Mrs Merkel said the proposal was a 'good start' to discussions.

But she cautioned that the two years of Brexit negotiations that started this week involve 'many, many other issues'.

She specifically cited the bill Britain will have to pay to leave and the border situation in Ireland as examples.

'It means we have lots left to do,' Mrs Merkel said.

Mr Juncker gave the plan a far less effusive welcome, saying was a 'first step, but not sufficient'.

At a press conference wrapping up the summit this afternoon, he suggested the ECJ's role was not up for negotiation.

'I cannot see the ECJ being excluded from the settlement in future,' Mr Juncker said.



Mr Tusk told the same press conference: 'The UK's offer is below our expectations and risks worsening the situation for our citizens.'

Meanwhile, former Chancellor George Osborne has claimed Mrs May blocked a move to guarantee rights for EU citizens immediately after the referendum.



An editorial in the Evening Standard - which Mr Osborne now edits - said: 'Last June, in the days immediately after the referendum, David Cameron wanted to reassure EU citizens they would be allowed to stay.

'All his Cabinet agreed with that unilateral offer, except his Home Secretary, Mrs May, who insisted on blocking it.'

Jeremy Corbyn said the proposal on EU nationals 'fell far short' of what was needed - although it is unclear what Labour would be putting on the table.

'What she has floated falls far short of the full guarantee Labour would make. That isn't just the right thing to do, it's also the best way to guarantee the rights of British nationals living in the EU,' he told the Unison conference in Brighton.

The issue of legal jurisdiction will be the key point of contention to be thrashed out in talks between Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

The proposals are likely to meet resistance in Brussels, which has already published its own proposals which would guarantee the rights enjoyed under EU law to any European resident in the UK as soon as Brexit happens.