Tit-for-tat warning over EU visa threat
BRITAIN will hit back if the EU attempts to force Britons to apply for visas to travel to the Continent after Brexit, Home Secretary Amber Rudd vowed yesterday.
She was responding to reports that Brussels is plotting a costly application system for UK citizens.
Ms Rudd also insisted the Government will regain “complete control” over the country’s borders after leaving the EU.
And she hinted that a work permit system was being considered for EU migrants. Ms Rudd’s warning shot followed reports that Eurocrats are looking at making UK citizens apply for short-term visitors’ visas.
The process could involve an online application and a fee similar to that for US visits.
Ms Rudd told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “My reaction to that is that it’s a reminder that this is a two-way negotiation.”
She accepted that Britons would be “surprised” about being forced to apply for a visa to travel to mainland Europe. She said: “I don’t think it’s particularly desirable, but we don’t rule it out because we have to be allowed a free hand to get the best negotiation.”
There were fresh signs of a rift within the Cabinet yesterday as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson appeared to reject the idea that EU citizens may be entitled to preferential access to Britain after Brexit.
That idea is at odds with Ms Rudd and Theresa May, who have both declined to rule out the possibility of preferential treatment.