Brexit: Theresa May's offer to EU citizens 'falls short'

Theresa May's offer to give EU citizens in the UK "settled status" after Brexit has been described as being "far short of what citizens are entitled to".

MEPs, including European Parliament chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt say the proposal is a "damp squib".

It offers Europeans in the UK fewer rights than Britons in the EU, they say in a joint letter to newspapers.

Cabinet Office minister Damian Green said the "basic rights" of EU citizens living in the UK would be "preserved".

He urged Mr Verhofstadt to "read our proposal", which the UK government insists would allow about three million EU citizens to stay on the same basis as now.

EU migrants who had lived in the UK for five years would be granted access to health, education and other benefits.

But the prime minister's proposals would be dependent on EU states guaranteeing Britons the same rights.

• May unveils Brexit offer for EU citizens
• What is UK offering EU citizens?
• The Brexit expats questions
• Brexit: All you need to know

The leaders of the four political groups who have signed the joint letter account for two-thirds of the votes in the European Parliament.

Their letter points out that that they have the power to reject any Brexit deal before it can go ahead because the parliament must approve the withdrawal agreement.

The leaders said they would not endorse anything that removed rights already acquired by citizens.

They said the UK proposal "falls short" because it would take away rights citizens currently have, and create new red tape and uncertainty for millions of people.

The letter said this contradicted promises made by the Leave campaign that EU citizens would be treated no less favourably after Brexit.

By contrast, the letter said the EU's offer - already on the table - was simple, clear and fair because it promised that all citizens, including UK nationals living in Europe, would be treated equally and lose no current rights.

'Rights and values'

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Verhofstadt said EU citizens in the UK - and Britons living on the continent - should keep their current rights, rather than the government "inventing a new status".

"It creates a type of second class citizenship for European Citizens in the UK," he added. "We don't see why their rights should be diminished and that would be the case in the proposal.

"In the end, it is the European Parliament that will say yes or no, and I can tell you it not will be a yes if the rights of European citizens - and also the rights of UK citizens living on the continent - will be diminished [and] cut off, like it is at the moment."

The letter stated: "The European Parliament will reserve its right to reject any agreement that treats EU citizens, regardless of their nationality, less favourably than they are at present.

"This is a question of the basic fundamental rights and values that are at the heart of the European project."

'Form-filling'

It added: "In early 2019, MEPs will have a final say on the Brexit deal. We will work closely with the EU negotiator and the 27 member states to help steer negotiations."

A spokesperson for the UK government said the letter contained a "number of inaccuracies" which could cause unnecessary and needless concern to UK and EU citizens.

Mr Green, who as first secretary of state is a close ally of Theresa May's, told BBC Radio 4's Today that it was clear that EU citizens would have to comply with "basic" immigration rules after the UK leaves the EU to establish their identity and nationality.

But he insisted: "That is not an insuperable barrier. We all fill in forms when we go on holiday and have to get visas and all that."

He suggested the UK was doing "precisely" what the EU was calling for.

"Somebody who is here now will keep the rights they already have and we hope that British citizens living in other EU countries will keep the rights they already have...The basic rights will be preserved so that should not be an obstacle to a final deal."

Rail strikes to hit Northern, Southern and Merseyrail

Passengers on three train companies across England are to see action by striking union members on Monday.

Northern staff are on the last day of a three-day strike, while Merseyrail staff are on strike for the day and also plan action on 23 July.

Southern workers plan to walk out on a one-day strike.

The RMT union is in dispute with the companies over driver-only-operated trains, which it says would be unsafe and lead to widespread job losses.

"The threat to abolish guards and introduce driver-only-operated trains is only part of the wider attack on rail services," said the RMT.

The union said the dispute is not about pay or conditions but strike action is over "concern about passenger safety".

In April RMT members demonstrated against the proposals and to mark the one-year anniversary of its dispute with Southern rail.

• Northern strike timetable
• Merseyrail strike timetable
• Southern strike timetable

Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern, said: "We are doing everything we can to keep our customers on the move during the three days of industrial action affecting our network."

Northern said it expected to run more than 40% of its timetable and it would have additional rail replacement buses

However, all services are expected to be extremely busy and travellers should allow extra time for their journeys, the company said.

Most services are to run between 7:00 and 19:00 BST with many routes winding down from late afternoon.

Merseyrail trains are to run from 07:00 to 19:00 but some stations will be closed. There will be no trains running on the Ellesmere Port, Hunts Cross and Kirkby lines.

Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, managing director, said customers were urged to check before travelling.

He added: "The team has put together the best possible timetable that we can to provide a limited train service on both strike days."

According to Southern, the industrial action on 10 July is "not expected to have any further affect on services".

An ASLEF union driver overtime ban continues.

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East London acid attack: John Tomlin arrested

A man named as the chief suspect in an acid attack in east London has handed himself in to police.

Two people suffered "life-changing" injuries when a corrosive substance was thrown on to them through their car windows.

Cousins Resham Khan and Jameel Muhktar, 37, had been celebrating Ms Khan's 21st birthday before the attack.

John Tomlin, 24, has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, the Metropolitan Police said.

He walked into an east London police station on Sunday and remains in custody.

Ms Khan, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Mr Muhktar suffered severe burns to the face and body in the attack on 21 June.

Police said they had stopped at traffic lights when a man approached them and threw the toxic substance at Ms Khan through the window.

The attacker then threw more of the acid at Mr Muhktar before fleeing the scene.

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Charlie Gard: High Court to hear new evidence in case

The High Court will hear fresh evidence in the case of terminally-ill baby Charlie Gard later.

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has referred the case back to court after reports of new data from foreign healthcare facilities.

Charlie's parents had made several unsuccessful challenges to a decision to end the 11-month-old's life support.

On Sunday his parents handed in a 350,000-signature petition calling for him to travel to the US for treatment.

Charlie inherited the faulty RRM2B gene, affecting the cells responsible for energy production and respiration and leaving him unable to move or breathe without a ventilator.

GOSH describes proposed experimental therapies as "unjustified" and said the treatments being offered are not a cure.

However, the hospital's decision to go back to court came after researchers at two international healthcare facilities said they have "fresh evidence about their proposed experimental treatment".

Charlie's mother Connie Yates and father Chris Gard, from Bedfont in west London, said they are determined to continue their fight for their son to have nucleoside therapy.

Mr Gard said they needed a specialist in Charlie's condition and therefore need to send him to America to "give him the chance he deserves".

Ms Yates added: "We have seven doctors supporting us from all around the world.

"There is up to 10% chance that this treatment may work and that's a chance worth taking.

"He's our son, he's our flesh and blood. We feel that it should be our right as parents to decide to give him a chance at life.

"There is nothing to lose, he deserves a chance."

US President Donald Trump and the Vatican have supported the parents' campaign for Charlie to be treated abroad, but a leading expert has described interventions from high-profile figures as "unhelpful".

Professor Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said in an open letter that Charlie's situation is "heartbreaking" for his parents, but added that even well-meaning interventions from outsiders can be unhelpful.

Mr Gard said: "If we won the court case and we got to America, and then within the first week of treatment he started suffering and he was in pain, we would let him go.

"This isn't about us. This is about Charlie and giving him the chance he needs."

Mr Justice Francis is due to hear fresh submissions on Monday afternoon.

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Camden Lock Market fire: Seventy firefighters at blaze

Seventy firefighters have been tackling a "significant" blaze at the famous Camden Lock Market in north London.

London Fire Brigade said 10 fire engines were sent to the site, which is a popular tourist attraction.

One eyewitness said the fire was moving "very fast" and there were fears of an explosion in nearby buildings.

London Ambulance Service said it had not treated any patients but remained at the scene. The Metropolitan Police also attended the incident.

Explosion fear

Witness Joan Ribes, 24, said: "I was just passing by when I saw the fire and they started to get firefighters and police, it was all very fast.

"We called the police to close the street to the traffic because it was very dangerous, the fire was flying through the air to the surrounding areas.

"The fire was moving very fast. People were watching, but we were scared the building could explode at any time since there are restaurants with kitchens nearby."

The ambulance service said it sent a clinical team leader and a Hazardous Area Response Team.

A police spokeswoman said: "London Fire Brigade were already at the scene when officers arrived. It is unknown at this stage if any persons are injured."

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Theresa May to launch fight-back with 'fairer Britain' vow

Theresa May is to say she has an "unshakeable sense of purpose" to build a "fairer Britain" in her first big speech since losing her majority.

The prime minister will say her commitment to changing the country is "undimmed" a year after taking office.

But she will acknowledge her reduced voting power in the Commons after her election gamble backfired.

And in the speech, on Tuesday, she will urge other parties to work with her on ideas to tackle "unfairness".

Ministers loyal to Mrs May have dismissed reports of plots to remove her as drink-fuelled "gossip", but Labour remains on an election footing, with leader Jeremy Corbyn saying he hopes for a fresh poll in September.

'Gig economy'

Mrs May will return to the message from her first day in Downing Street last July, when she succeeded David Cameron, and vow to lead what she called a "one nation" government that works for all and not just the "privileged few".

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said: "You won't hear anyone in Downing Street call it a re-launch or a fightback, but after the tumult, the commotion of the last few months - voluntarily calling an election in which she went backwards - Theresa May will this week attempt to regain the political initiative".

Analysis

By BBC political correspondent Chris Mason

Theresa May's speech is a pitch for cross-party consensus.

"Come forward with your own views and ideas about how we can tackle" the challenges the country faces, Mrs May will say, adding: "We may not agree on everything, but ideas can be clarified and improved and a better way forward found."

Bluntly, it is an explicit acknowledgement of her fragility; her authority and majority shrivelled.

Government sources say it is a mature approach that maintains a commitment to taking on big, difficult and complex challenges; not just Brexit but reform of social care, too, for instance.

Labour says Mrs May's speech proves the Conservatives have "completely run out of ideas" and were reduced to "begging" for policy proposals from them.

In her speech, the PM will say that though the result of June's election was not what she wanted, "those defining beliefs remain, my commitment to change in Britain is undimmed".

Her "belief in the potential of the British people and what we can achieve together as a nation remains steadfast, and the determination I have to get to grips with the challenges posed by a changing world never more sure", she will say.

She will say she is convinced that the path she set out in her first speech outside Number 10 remains the right one.

"It will lead to the stronger, fairer Britain that we need."

She will launch a review - of casual and low-paid work - by Matthew Taylor, a former top adviser to Tony Blair, which she commissioned when she became prime minister.

It is thought Mr Taylor, who has been examining the use of zero-hours contracts and the rise in app-based firms such as Uber and Deliveroo, will stop short of calling for a compulsory minimum wage for those employed in the so-called gig economy, who do not have guaranteed hours or pay rates.

But he is expected to propose a series of extra rights for those in insecure jobs and could also recommend shaking up the tax system to reduce the gap between employees and the self-employed.

He is also likely to call for measures to improve job satisfaction for people working in minimum wage jobs, according to The Guardian.

'Battle of ideas'

In her speech, Mrs May will say: "When I commissioned this report I led a majority government in the House of Commons. The reality I now face as prime minister is rather different.

"In this new context, it will be even more important to make the case for our policies and our values, and to win the battle of ideas both in Parliament as well as in the country.

"So I say to the other parties in the House of Commons... come forward with your own views and ideas about how we can tackle these challenges as a country.

"We may not agree on everything, but through debate and discussion - the hallmarks of our parliamentary democracy - ideas can be clarified and improved and a better way forward found."

She will acknowledge the fragile nature of her position in the Commons but insist it will not stop her taking "the bold action necessary to secure a better future".

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Cardinal Pell returns to Australia to fight charges

The Vatican treasurer, Cardinal George Pell, has returned to Australia as he prepares to defend himself against sexual assault charges.

The 76-year-old cleric, a top adviser to Pope Francis, was photographed at Sydney Airport early on Monday. He had arrived from the Vatican via Singapore.

Police have said the accusations relate to alleged "historical" incidents.

Cardinal Pell, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing, is due to face a Melbourne court on 26 July.

Australia's most senior Catholic figure was granted a leave of absence from the Vatican to fight the charges.

He did not make any comment on arrival in Sydney, local media said.

Victoria Police said the accusations arose from "multiple complainants".

Last month, Cardinal Pell told a news conference at the Holy See that he would travel to Australia if his doctors permitted it.

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• Church's credibility crisis over Pell

"I'm looking forward finally to having my day in court," he said.

"I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me."

Cardinal Pell is considered the third-ranking official in the Holy See.

BBC NEWS