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Donald Tusk turns on Tories in row over rights of EU citizens in UK Donald Tusk turns on Tories in row over rights of EU citizens in UK
(35 minutes later)
Donald Tusk has accused dozens of Conservative MPs of making an argument that “has nothing to do with reality” in an astonishing row over the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and British people living overseas.Donald Tusk has accused dozens of Conservative MPs of making an argument that “has nothing to do with reality” in an astonishing row over the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and British people living overseas.
The president of the European council responded to a letter sent by 80 British parliamentarians in which they warned that the European commission was making it harder to end the “anxiety and uncertainty” for citizens by refusing to discuss a reciprocal agreement over the issue.The president of the European council responded to a letter sent by 80 British parliamentarians in which they warned that the European commission was making it harder to end the “anxiety and uncertainty” for citizens by refusing to discuss a reciprocal agreement over the issue.
Tusk hit back with a public letter in which he said the uncertainty had instead been caused by the decision of the British people to vote for Brexit and that the best way to dispel the fears was for Theresa May to trigger article 50 earlier than March next year.Tusk hit back with a public letter in which he said the uncertainty had instead been caused by the decision of the British people to vote for Brexit and that the best way to dispel the fears was for Theresa May to trigger article 50 earlier than March next year.
He said: “In your letter you state that the European commission, and in particular [Michel] Barnier, are attempting to prevent negotiations, thereby creating ‘anxiety and uncertainty for the UK and EU citizens living in one another’s territories’.He said: “In your letter you state that the European commission, and in particular [Michel] Barnier, are attempting to prevent negotiations, thereby creating ‘anxiety and uncertainty for the UK and EU citizens living in one another’s territories’.
“It is a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it had nothing to do with reality. Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit? And that the only way to dispel the fears and doubts of all citizens concerned is the quickest possible start of the negotiations based on article 50 of the treaty?”“It is a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it had nothing to do with reality. Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit? And that the only way to dispel the fears and doubts of all citizens concerned is the quickest possible start of the negotiations based on article 50 of the treaty?”
My reply to the UK MPs on the status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens living and working in Europe: https://t.co/NR0KC80j3k pic.twitter.com/lBRQfv7rr5My reply to the UK MPs on the status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens living and working in Europe: https://t.co/NR0KC80j3k pic.twitter.com/lBRQfv7rr5
Tusk’s letter was addressed to UK parliamentarians but also specifically to Michael Tomlinson MP after he hit out at the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, accusing her of having “quit the moral high ground”.Tusk’s letter was addressed to UK parliamentarians but also specifically to Michael Tomlinson MP after he hit out at the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, accusing her of having “quit the moral high ground”.
The Conservative MP’s attack was in response to reports suggesting Merkel would not guarantee reciprocal rights for UK citizens living in Germany until formal Brexit negotiations had begun, and had told May as much during a bilateral meeting.The Conservative MP’s attack was in response to reports suggesting Merkel would not guarantee reciprocal rights for UK citizens living in Germany until formal Brexit negotiations had begun, and had told May as much during a bilateral meeting.
Tomlinson accused her of having “entered the fray with the implication that human beings will be traded tit for tat in a political playground”.Tomlinson accused her of having “entered the fray with the implication that human beings will be traded tit for tat in a political playground”.
“I read with dismay the article on Politico that Angela Merkel, in common with Commissioner Michel Barnier, refused to engage in a civilised way on reciprocal rights and failed to give assurances that UK citizens living in Europe would remain entitled to live and work there,” said Tomlinson, who is deputy chair of the European research group (ERG) of MPs. “I read with dismay the article on Politico that Angela Merkel, in common with Commissioner Michel Barnier, refused to engage in a civilised way on reciprocal rights and failed to give assurances that UK citizens living in Europe would remain entitled to live and work there,” said Tomlinson, who is deputy chair of the European Research Group (ERG) of MPs.
In a letter to Tusk, Tomlinson, attacked the chief EU negotiator, Barnier, for “obstructing member state negotiations on reciprocal rights”, accusing him of being “worryingly indifferent” to the “anxiety and uncertainty” of citizens in each territory. In a letter to Tusk, Tomlinson attacked Barnier, the chief EU negotiator, for “obstructing member state negotiations on reciprocal rights”, accusing him of being “worryingly indifferent” to the “anxiety and uncertainty” of citizens in each territory.
He said agreeing reciprocal rights is the only “just and humane thing to do”, arguing that people are not “bargaining chips” or “cards to be traded”.Steve Baker, chair of the ERG, said: “Michel Barnier’s intransigence is inhumane. It is only compounded by the petulance of his recent tweet. He should apologise and immediately agree in principle the continuation of reciprocal rights for resident UK and EU citizens.” He said agreeing reciprocal rights was the only “just and humane thing to do”, arguing that people were not “bargaining chips” or “cards to be traded”.Steve Baker, chair of the ERG, said: “Michel Barnier’s intransigence is inhumane. It is only compounded by the petulance of his recent tweet. He should apologise and immediately agree in principle the continuation of reciprocal rights for resident UK and EU citizens.”
The Tory MP Julian Knight tweeted: “So I can now tell the worried EU citizens who do come to my surgery on this issue that it is the EU which is holding them to ransom.”The Tory MP Julian Knight tweeted: “So I can now tell the worried EU citizens who do come to my surgery on this issue that it is the EU which is holding them to ransom.”