British expatriates would have been left “high and dry” by European leaders if the UK had “given away” a guarantee that EU migrants can continue to stay in the country post-Brexit, Theresa May has said.

The Prime Minister spoke out after Angela Merkel and Donald Tusk blocked her attempt to fast-track a deal that would have given an amnesty to British expats and EU migrants in the UK after Brexit.

However, Mrs May said she was “right” not to act too quickly, because any concession by Britain could have left UK expats losing their rights to live, work and receive healthcare in the remaining 27 EU states.