May 'backtracks on expat stance'

Theresa May, the frontrunner in the race for leadership of the Conservative Party, has reportedly backtracked on an earlier refusal to guarantee the rights of EU nationals in Britain after rivals accused her of using British expats as 'bargaining chips' in Brexit negotiations.

As reported, Labour MP Gisela Stuart asked the government for clarification on the rights of EU nationals living in the UK following remarks made by home secretary Mrs May in an interview.

She had said the status of British citizens living in Europe, as well as that of EU nationals in Britain, would be part of Britain's exit negotiations.

But Mrs May's team have now reportedly clarified the comments, saying: "Her position is that we will guarantee the legal status of EU nationals in Britain as long as British nationals living in EU countries have their status guaranteed too," according to the Financial Times.

Previously, Mrs May was the only one of the Conservative leadership hopefuls to refuse to promise the status of EU nationals in Britain and Britons living in other European countries would be protected.

Even outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage criticised her stance, saying: "I am disgusted at the way May has been speaking. The EU nationals living in the UK came here legally."

After the first round of voting among Conservative MPs, three candidates remain in the race for leadership of the party - and, therefore, Prime Minister - Mrs May, who campaigned for Remain during the referendum campaign, and pro-Brexit duo Andrea Leadsom and Michael Gove.

The second round, which is expected to cut the field to two candidates needed to put the final vote to grassroots members, takes place on Thursday.