IS Guy boxing clever with Christmas gift?

We are now a mere whisker more than a fortnight away from Christmas Day and it seems as though the European Parliament is giving the UK Government an early gift.

Guy Verhofstadt, the chief Brexit negotiator on behalf of MEPs, has said Brits will be able to opt-in for an “associate citizenship” status, which will give the right of freedom of movement and residence throughout the EU.

Downing Street will be wondering, however, what the motivation for this Santa-like generosity is.

Why would Mr Verhofstadt concede such ground on a major issue when article 50 hasn’t been triggered yet, especially with ministers sweating over the outcome of a Supreme Court appeal?

What does the European Parliament get out of laying these cards on the table at this time?

The answer seems: not very much – on the surface, but there will almost certainly be small print underneath the giant headline letters. As John Park, the respected trade union official and former Fife MSP, quipped, it is “probably more a case of where do we pay...”

That may be a little cynical, but it does cut through to the fact that nothing in this negotiation will come for free, especially when the UK Government is failing to lay out any coherent Brexit strategy.

Theresa May might wish to check the receipt in her present from Brussels.