Following the publication of the proposed Withdrawal Agreement three groups closely affected by Brexit have released the following statements:

EU Citizen’s for an Independent Scotland:

“We don’t have time to hope for a General Election or a People’s Vote. Brexit is already happening to us EU(27) and British citizens in Europe. There was no mention of Scotland in the Withdrawal Agreement document, despite Scotland voting to remain in the EU by the largest majority out of the four nations.

“Our rights as EU citizens are not protected in May’s plan, as raised by Patrick Harvie at First Minister’s Questions. In Scotland, the Scottish Government has a mandate for Indy Ref 2. Use the mandate and end our limbo in this chaos.”

Jane Golding, Co-Chair of British in Europe said:

“We were told in March that citizens’ rights were a done deal and that discussions on this would not be re-opened. However it is clear from the text that some changes have in fact been made, meaning that it is unacceptable and upsetting that free movement – a lifeline for many of us -has been excluded when both sides knew it was critical for us.

“Brexit Secretaries come and Brexit Secretaries go. But unlike Dominic Raab our members don’t have the luxury of walking away from this mess. His resignation only adds to the uncertainty that millions of people have been experiencing for two years. It is now up to the European Parliament, not only to walk the talk on its red lines – free movement in our case – but to put pressure on all sides to ring-fence the agreement on citizens’ rights so that 4.6mn people can sleep at night now whatever happens on Brexit.”

Chair of the3million Nicolas Hatton said:

“the3million feels betrayed by the Brexit negotiators. Despite early progress in the negotiations, over three million EU citizens in the UK, including 700,000 EU children, are now facing a lifelong limbo under the Withdrawal Agreement.

“We are still bargaining chips, as the negotiators will soon discuss the future relationship, with our lives still in the balance. As a reminder, the Withdrawal Agreement does not protect our existing rights, and shamefully creates more insecurity by allowing the Home Office to pick and choose the EU citizens they want to keep.”