‘British expats can stay in Spain’

EXPATS will be allowed to continue living in Spain even if Britain leaves the European Union without striking a withdrawal deal, the country’s foreign minister has said.

Alfonso Dastis said his government would ensure that the lives of ordinary Britons in Spain were “not disrupted” in the event of a “no deal” Brexit.

Spain is host to the largest number of British citizens living in the EU – 308,805 – with just over a third aged 65 and over.

Theresa May is facing pressure from some Tories to leave the EU without an agreement so Britain can free itself from Brussels regulations, avoid a costly “divorce bill” and take what some see as the full advantage of the benefits of Brexit.

Mr Dastis’s comments may be seized upon by Brexiteer Tories as evidence that a “no deal” Brexit is a workable solution.

The minister told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday: “If there is no deal we will make sure that the lives of ordinary people who are in Spain, the UK people, are not disrupted.

“As you know, the relationship between the UK and Spain is a very close one in terms of economic relations and also social exchanges.

“Over 17 million Brits come to Spain every year and many of them live here or retire here and we want to keep it that way as much as possible.”