EU leaders will call on Boris Johnson to respect the rights of their citizens in the wake of scandals over their treatment in the UK, including their detention in removal centres, according to a leaked draft statement seen by the Guardian. “The European Council calls on the UK to respect the principle of non-discrimination among member states and the rights of EU citizens,” the leaders are due to say, adding that the deals agreed with Downing Street must be implemented in full. There is growing concern within EU capitals over the UK government’s approach to their nationals, including those whose rights are guaranteed by the tortuously negotiated Brexit withdrawal agreement. The issues faced by EU nationals in the UK, or seeking entry to the country, are just the latest concerns about the post-Brexit relationship, however. The EU is concerned that rights agreed over access are being breached through UK red tape.

Source: The Guardian May 19, 2021 09:11 UTC