Citizens deserve honesty from European negotiators during ‘divorce talks’

The watchdog for European citizens has said people have a right to know what the UK’S Brexit negotiators are tabling.

Emily O’reilly said she had yet to see options for a socalled soft border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The European Ombudsman also warned about “mixed signals” and “uncontrolled leaks” from Theresa May’s Cabinet.

Ms O’reilly told parliamentarians from Ireland, North- 0 European Ombudsman warns about ‘mixed signals’ ern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey that voters need to be given as much neutral infor- mation as possible and what the consequences might be.

“Irrespective of your views on Brexit, the people at the very least deserve honesty and honesty at every stage of this process,” she said.

Ms O’reilly said it is inconceivable that leaks will not happen but she said it would be better to publish as many documents as possible to control the spin.

The Ombudsman made the comments in an impassioned defence of the EU at a meeting of the British-irish Parliamentary Assembly in Kilkenny. Brexit is already causing a “wobble” in London’s economy, according to new analysis from an independent think tank.

Research by the Centre for London suggests the UK’S looming withdrawal from the EU may be having an impact on reducing numbers of Europeans coming to the city to work, a slowdown in job creation, declining business confidence and decelerating house price growth.

Registrations for new national insurance numbers by foreign workers have fallen by 15 per cent in the city over the past year.