Rights of Europeans in UK to be investigated

A British Labour Party MP is set to lead a probe into how to protect European citizens living in the UK after the country leaves the European Union (EU).

Gisela Stuart, a "Vote Leave" campaigner for the June 23 EU referendum, said EU citizens residing in the UK have been "left in limbo" since the vote, EFE news reported.

"There is wide agreement, among the public, politicians and business, that EU citizens are welcome here and that the government should make clear they can stay," Stuard said.

In June's referendum, 51.9 per cent of the British public voted in favor of the UK leaving the EU, while 48 per cent voted to remain part of the 28-country regional bloc.

Stuart is to head an investigation for the centre-left research institute "British Future", which will look into the legal status of European citizens after the exit comes into effect.

The British government has signalled that it will protect the status of the EU citizens, provided that a reciprocal agreement for British people living in EU countries be negotiated.

Meanwhile, MPs from all parties have said that people are not "bargaining chips".

The government should clarify "soon" that EU citizens living in the UK -- some three million people -- will be allowed to stay following Brexit, Stuart said.

--IANS

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