‘Devil in the detail’ of May’s EU nationals proposals, says Sturgeon
It is “disgraceful” it has taken a yearfortheukgovernmentto offer reassurance to European Union nationals about their status after Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Scotland’s First Minister said she welcomed in principle the proposals for EU citizens in the UK set out by Theresa May, but cautioned the “devil will be in the detail”.
The Prime Minister said the plans outlined to a European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday will ensure no-one living lawfully in the UK will have to leave and EU nationals will not face the prospect of their families being split up by Brexit.
Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland: “I think we really need to see the detail of what she’s proposing because the devil will be in the detail.
“It’s not just about the right of people here to stay, but the real question is over what the cut-off point will be, what the situation will be for family members of EU nationals, and of course how their rights are to be protected in future.
“As a general principle I welcome it so far as it goes. I don’t understand why it’s taken a year for the UK Government to give the commitment that she appeared to give last night but I think we will need to see the detail before there can be a considered view of whether or not it goes far enough. It’s taken a year to get to this point and I think that’s disgraceful because the uncertainty that that’s caused for EU nationals has been considerable and I think we will already have seen some choose to leave because of that uncertainty.”
Ms Sturgeon marked the first anniversary of the EU referendum with a speech at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh.