MEPs call for Britons’ rights in EU to be ‘ring-fenced’
Connexion gives views from French residents as campaigners meet in Brussels
Leading groups defending Britons’ rights in Europe have called for the “urgent” ring-fencing of those rights at a meeting of MEPs and others in Brussels.
Their rallying call for the protection of Britons established in the EU came at the meeting with campaigners from the British in Europe coalition, London-based pro-Europe group New Europeans and the 3 Million group, representing EU citizens in the UK.
The event was screened live to thousands of viewers on Facebook and about 100 people were in the audience for the talks, where speakers included Connexion, which gave views we had gathered from readers.
MEPs from the ‘EU citizens taskforce’, Sophie in ‘t Veld and Catherine Bearder, said “ring-fencing” rights of existing expats was urgent, so Britons abroad in the EU and other EU citizens in the UK no longer felt in “limbo”.
They said it was vital that the UK and EU understood real people's lives are at stake.
The event - Brexit & Brits in the EU: what does it mean for you? was organised by the MEP taskforce and BELD (Brussels and Europe Liberal Democrats). We will carry a full report in the June issue of The Connexion. You can subscribe here (deadline tomorrow May 12) to receive the paper at your home.
This afternoon the taskforce is also holding a hearing at the European Parliament, with evidence given to a joint hearing of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Petitions on the rights of expats in the context of Brexit at 15.00.
You can watch last night’s event on a computer on the Brits Abroad Facebook page (with a special version on mobile/tablet) while this afternoon’s hearing in the Parliament will be screened live on the parliament website.
