'That's dope!': EU migrants react to Theresa May's pledge to allow them to stay

There have been mixed reactions from EU migrants who live in the UK over Theresa May's plans to secure some of their futures in the country.

The Prime Minister has set out plans to give more than three million European Union citizens living in the UK the right to stay permanently after Brexit and to be treated like British citizens.

She made a "fair and serious offer" to European leaders in Brussels on Thursday night as she pledged that all those who arrived in Britain before she triggered Article 50 in March would be entitled to stay.

While some have been jubilant that their futures no longer look so uncertain, others think she should not have taken so long to announce that they could stay in the UK.

One Twitter user, based in London, wrote: "That's dope news - seems like I can stay in the UK, let's see! Gonna celebrate my '5 years in London anniversary in Ibiza though!"

Another said: "Well, as a European citizen who has lived in the UK for many years, I am relieved to know that I can stay."

Many were pleased their friends and relatives could stay in the UK.

Chris Byland wrote: "Excellent news - my wife is an #EUCitizen living in the UK, so I'm glad they came to a resolution so that #EUCitizens can stay after #Brexit."

Some were less enthusiastic.

Stefania Barutta appeared sarcastic when she wrote: "Theresa May has decided I can stay, after 27yrs in the UK, I am so grateful for her generous offer."

Twitter user JackieTheWriter incredulously tweeted: "May assures that EU citizens will be allowed to stay after Brexit. Um. Was that ever in question???"

Josephine O'dor wrote: "After 30yrs of UK being 'my' country (lived longer here than in France) am now 'a EU citizen' allowed to stay as some unwelcome guest."

Mrs May’s offer also received a mixed reception in Europe with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the proposals represented "a good start" but cautioned that there were "many, many other issues" which needed to be resolved.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker went further and said the deal offered by Mrs May was not good enough.

He said: "This is the first step but this step is not sufficient."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said there were "thousands of questions to ask", Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called it a "particularly vague proposal" and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said the PM's offer was just "a first step".

Mr Kern also warned: "Many details are left open. A lot of European citizens are concerned and not covered by May’s proposal. There is a long, long way to go for negotiations."