Theresa May refuses to rule out deportation of EU nationals

                                

Theresa May has refused to rule out the deportation of EU nationals living in Britain after the country leaves the European Union, amid fears that guaranteeing their rights at this stage could lead to a “huge influx” of migrants during the Brexit negotiation phase.

It comes as the Home Secretary, who has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the race to succeed David Cameron as Conservative leader, said although she wanted to “guarantee the position” of EU citizens currently living in the UK she admitted their future could be up for negotiation.

A source close to Ms May told The Independent: “She was saying it’s unwise to promise right now that all EU nationals living in Britain should be able to stay indefinitely. The reason for that is if we did that the same rights would have to apply to any EU national who comes to Britain before we leave the EU.

“If we made that promise you could just see a huge influx…of EU nationals who would all want to come here while they have that chance.”

The source also made clear that the issue was a “negotiating point”. They added: “It would just be a bad negotiating position because we shouldn’t guarantee the rights of EU nationals without having any guarantees the other way about British nationals living in EU members.” 

Ms May said during her leadership campaign launch last week in London that there was no mandate to accept the free movement of people in its current state. She could, therefore, use EU nationals living in Britain as a “negotiating point” if she attempts to maintain access to the single market with restrictions.

“As part of the negotiation we will need to look at this question of people who are here in the UK from the EU.”

Responding to her comments Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, demanded that EU nationals residing in the UK are given complete assurances that they will have the right to stay in the UK indefinitely. The party, which has committed to standing in the next election on the platform of securing Britain’s place in the EU, added that the future status of these people is not clear beyond any renegotiation period, leading to uncertainty.

Mr Farron told The Independent: “It is utterly outrageous that Theresa May won't give Europeans living, working and paying taxes in the UK certainty that they will have the right to stay here. The Liberal Democrats would.

“We call on the Home Secretary to offer a cast iron guarantee that the futures of all those Europeans residing here can be in the UK.” 

Candidates vying to replace Mr Cameron have been urged to guarantee that the three million EU nationals already living here are not deported if and when Britain quits the bloc.

Campaigners from both sides – including Brexit backers Daniel Hannan, a Conservative MEP, Labour's Gisela Stuart and Ukip's Douglas Carswell as well as Remain supporters Yvette Cooper, a Labour former frontbencher, and TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady – have also called for contenders to pledge to fight for a similar deal for UK citizens living in the other 27 EU countries.

Ms May said she would establish a Department for Brexit and a team of negotiators before triggering Article 50 – the formal legal process of severing ties with the EU.

The Home Secretary also used the interview to dismiss calls for her ‘coronation’ as Tory leader due to her clear lead in the polls against her rivals in the bid for 10 Downing Street. Ms May said she was not taking “anything for granted”, adding there is a need for the arguments to be heard by Tory members.

Recent polling has revealed that most Conservatives back the Home Secretary to succeed Mr Cameron. Among party members, who will vote to decide the winner of the contest, some 46 per cent say she would make the best Prime Minister.