Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has criticised Prime Minister Theresa May's 'Hunger Games approach to Brexit negotiations' after a leaked document warned UK nationals living abroad should expect a backlash. The document leak came after parliament voted against adding an amendment to the Brexit bill to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the United Kingdom.
'People will be used as political footballs'
The leaked document suggests that Theresa May's refusal to guarantee the rights of EU citizens will have repercussions on Brits living in the EU.
The document, drafted by the European parliament's legal affairs department, said British citizens living in Europe will be beholden to national governments, who will determine whether they can remain living in Europe post-2019.
Jeremy Corbyn said that the document highlighted the consequence of a Tory-style Brexit. Corbyn said: 'Families, jobs and home are all hanging in the balance. We must end this Hunger Games approach to Brexit which gives no consideration for UK citizens living abroad and no consideration of EU citizens living in the United Kingdom'.
Corbyn demanded that Theresa May and her government provided a commitment to EU nationals living in the UK, arguing that a failure to do so will amount to 'people being used as political footballs'.
Since the referendum result, there has been a fifty per cent increase in EU citizens applying for permanent residence in the UK.
Lucas: 'May must guarantee EU nationals' rights
Co-leader of the Green party, Caroline Lucas, said delaying guarantees of EU nationals living in the UK would be 'unforgivable'. Lucas said: 'It's worrying that UK nationals living in Europea face a political backlash due to Theresa May's refusal to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in the United Kingdom.
The fact is that Theresa May should provide guarantees to EU nationals living in the UK'.
Yesterday, the Austrian Chancellor, Christian Kern, stated that the UK should be worse off after Brexit, comparing the EU to a special club in which members have privileges.
