1/ At @labourleave fringe event at #Lab18, following a question by @NicolasHatton on #citizensrights of the 3.6m EU citizens in the UK in case of no deal Brexit, MP Graham Stringer made the false claim that 85% of EU citizens already have automatic right to reside in the UK now.
2/ it shows how little comprehension there is on the legal complexity around EU #citizensrights among some politicians. EU citizens have the right to reside in the UK through EU law implemented into UK law via the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016
3/ The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 have been carried forward into post Brexit law via the Withdrawal Act 2018. This means the 85% of EU citizens MP Graham Stringer classes as 'secure' are only so until this EU law is repealed.
4/ After the EU law is repealed EU citizens will be undocumented, unless they have acquired another UK immigration status. Thus, Graham Stringer is incorrect in saying that 85% of EU citizens are able to secure their right to stay now.
5/ it is also telling that even if Graham Stringer was correct - and he isn't - that he casually discounts the rights of 15% of the EU citizens (0.5m people) who have not resided in the UK for more than 5 years.
6/ if @labourleave and Graham Stringer really cared for the #citizensrights of the 3.6m EU citizens in the UK & 1.2m @BritishInEurope in case of no deal they would push to ring fence, separate out, what has already been agreed on rights in the Withdrawal Agreement /end
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