Theresa May puts pressure on Angela Merkel for quick deal after Chancellor snubs bid for deal for Brits living in the EU
The Prime Minister has publicly endorsed “reciprocal rights” for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens abroad
THERESA May heaped pressure on Angela Merkel last night after it emerged the German Chancellor snubbed her bid to cut a quick deal on the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
It came as European Council chief Donald Tusk fuelled the row by blaming the stand off on Brexit in a scathing letter Tory MPs, accusing them not having a grip on “reality”.
Downing Street is keen to cut a quick deal that will see Brits living in Europe able to stay and work where they are and the livelihood of Europeans in the UK also guaranteed in returned.
Mrs May reportedly raised the issue with her German counterpart last week but was kicked back.
No10 refused to comment on a private meeting but pointed out that Mrs May had publicly endorsed “reciprocal rights.”
Last night the government pressed Mrs Merkel to offer a deal on the matter as soon as possible.
A No10 spokesman said: “We have been very clear that we will guarantee the rights of European citizens in this country provided that the rights of British citizens are similarly protected across the EU.
They added: “We have been very clear that we would like to see an early agreement on that.
On Monday dozens Tory MPs accused the EU of holding people’s lives “hostage” and said any attempt to block an immediate deal was “inhumane”.
A group of 50 mainly Conservative MPs from the European Research Group wrote to Donald Tusk, urging him to end the deadlock.
The Polish PM, Beata Szydlo, yesterday warned the EU that they must compromise to get a good deal with Britain.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph before her visit to London, she said that it was important in order to the economy and security remained strong. She also suggested that British schools should teach Polish to immigrant workers.
European Union officials have so far been cold towards Britain in the hope that a poor Brexit deal will put off other countries from holding referendums on their membership.