LONDON – Theresa May blocked David Cameron's attempts to unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, following last year's referendum, it has been reported.
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Theresa May 'blocked' Cameron from offering EU citizens right to stay after Brexit
Theresa May blocked David Cameron's attempts to reassure EU citizens in the UK of their rights following last year's referendum, it has been reported.
David Cameron and Theresa May.
Cameron, who was prime minister at the time, tried to get his cabinet to agree to assure EU citizens of their right to stay in the UK, but May, then home secretary, refused to agree.
In an Evening Standard editorial on Friday afternoon, it was claimed that May "insisted on blocking" the "unilateral offer" for people from other EU states in the UK.
The Evening Standard is edited by George Osborne, who would have been present in cabinet as Cameron's chancellor at the time after the referendum, and was a key ally of the then prime minister. The paper has been a strong critic of May since Osborne took over earlier this year. Osborne was removed as Chancellor after May became PM.
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The Standard claims May was the only cabinet member at the time to oppose granting the right to stay to EU citizens immediately.
Asked about the claims at a press conference in Brussells today May told Sky News: "That is certainly not my recollection. I have been very clear that citizens rights should be addressed at an early stage of negotiation."
The editorial calls on May to "
"It is a badge of shame that Theresa May blocked attempts to guarantee the rights of EU nationals after the referendum. It shows how cold and heartless she is," Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said.
"Now that mean-spirited decision is coming back to haunt her as we see an exodus of skilled EU workers, from nurses to academics."Simply setting out vague assurances without giving a clear guarantee or sufficient resources for the Home Office is not good enough."
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