In his letter, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has sought the view of the EU institutions on ring-fencing the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement whatever the outcome of negotiations. This follows Parliament supporting a proposal put forward by Alberto Costa MP on this issue on 27 February 2019.

The European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has now replied to the Secretary of State on the issue of ring-fencing the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement whatever the outcome of negotiations.

Secretary of State Steve Barclay’s response to Michel Barnier’s letter, reiterating the UK’s position and expressing the desire that together our officials explore fully ring-fencing the citizens’ rights agreement in any scenario.

The European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has now replied to the Secretary of State again on this issue.