Top scientists say Brexit could hurt research across Europe

LONDON — Top scientists from around Europe warned Tuesday that Brexit could leave Britain and the European Union “more insular,” harming research across the continent, as Prime Minister Theresa May met her divided cabinet to discuss the state of divorce negotiations.

A letter signed by 29 Nobel laureates and six winners of the Fields Medal mathematics prize urged May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to ensure the “closest possible co-operation between the U.K. and the EU” after Britain leaves the bloc.

The letter said scientific innovation “requires the flow of people and ideas across borders to allow the rapid exchange of ideas, expertise and technology.”

“Creating new barriers to such ease of collaboration will inhibit progress, to the detriment of us all,” said the signatories, who include biologist Venki Ramakrishnan and economist Christopher Pissarides.

The Francis Crick Institute, the biggest biomedical research lab under one roof in Europe, also warned that a “hard Brexit” that put up barriers to the flow of people, goods and services would be detrimental to British science.

The British government says it is seeking “an ambitious relationship on science and innovation with our EU partners” after Brexit.