Yahoo News UK 'could still be subject to rulings of European Court of Justice post-Brexit'
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) could continue to have an influence on the UK after Brexit as part of a bid to protect the rights of EU citizens living in Britain, the European Parliament president has indicated.
Antonio Tajani hinted that any agreement on the rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons living on the continent would be subject to rulings by the ECJ.
However, such a demand is likely to put Brussels on a collision course with the Government with Theresa May having made ending the jurisdiction of the court in the UK one of her key Brexit goals.
Meanwhile, Mr Tajani also suggested that the UK would be welcomed back by the EU if it abandoned Brexit following the general election on June 8.
He said all 27 countries in the bloc would be in favour if a new government decided to reverse the Article 50 process.
He said in an interview with the Guardian: "If the UK, after the election, wants to withdraw (Article 50), then the procedure is very clear.
"If the UK wanted to stay, everybody would be in favour. I would be very happy."
Meanwhile, the European Commission's draft negotiating document indicated that Brussels officials believe that the ECJ should rule over any agreement on citizens' rights.
Mr Tajani said: “Under the (Brexit) treaty everything under the treaty is under the court.”
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He said that the ECJ underpinning such an agreement is “the only possible solution".
He told The Times. "If you want to continue to guarantee citizens' rights you need to refer to the ECJ.
"The European parliament is very clear on this. Citizens' rights is a red line."
