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Theresa May 'blocked' Cameron from offering EU citizens right to stay after Brexit

David Cameron and Theresa May
David Cameron and Theresa May

Ben Pruchnie / Getty

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.

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.

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 "announce unilaterally that any Europeans who are living here will be able to remain here... it would be, as we said before, an act of national self-interest dressed up as a gesture of international generosity."

May's opponents accused her of a "heartless" decision to block the rights of EU citizens.

"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."

On Thursday evening, the prime minister made what she called a "fair and serious" offer to EU leaders, guaranteeing their right to stay in the UK, as long the EU does the same for British expats.

EU citizens who have been living in the UK for at least 5 years would be given "settled status," allowing them full rights to pensions, healthcare, education, and benefits.

While German chancellor Angela Merkel called the proposal "a good start," fellow European leaders have not been as complimentary. Jean Claude-Juncker, the president of the European Commission said "that is a first step but this step is not sufficient," and the Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel called the offer "particularly vague."

President of the European Council Donald Tusk said May's offer would make the situation of EU citizens in the UK worse.

"The UK’s offer is below our expectations and risks worsening the situation for our citizens," Tusk said.

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