At last Theresa May to allow British nationals who want to retain their EU nationality do so

After several months of arguments from various quarters concerning the future of British nationals living in other EU countries and vice versa, the Prime Minister, report now has it  that Mrs May and the EU’s Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt are strategizing on how UK citizens could retain their EU citizenship.

For long, the Brussels negotiator has been clamouring for the bloc and Britain to consider letting Britons opt back into the union through “associate citizenship”.

Verhofstadt, who has previously vowed to stand up for the “rights of the 48 per cent” despite Britain’s decision to leave, also gave his support to suggestions that could see individuals in the UK pay for EU rights.

This move was viewed last year by a Leave campaigner and Tory MP Andrew Bridgen who asserted that the move was a bid by Brussels to create “two classes of UK citizen” and “subvert the referendum vote”.

Nevertheless, in a recent development, the Government has claimed it will discuss the idea if it is brought forward by the EU negotiators.

Writing for the Independent, Verhofstadt said: “After much debate within the European Parliament, the parliament’s resolution also notes that many citizens of the UK have expressed strong opposition to losing the rights they currently enjoy as European Union citizens and “proposes that the EU 27 examine how to mitigate this within the limits of Union primary law”.

“I fought hard in the parliament for this provision to be maintained and hope in the coming months to continue to push for such an offer from the EU to British Europeans.”

The former Belgian Prime Minister claims “thousands” of Remoaners have sent him letters expressing their anger over their European identity “being taken from them against their will”.

He also said: “It was with great sadness this week that MEPs debated Brexit in Strasbourg.

“Discussions in the coming months will be tough and at times, intense.

“The scale of the talks ahead are unprecedented, but there is unanimity among MEPs that our priority will be to prioritise the rights of citizens.

“This means moving quickly to agree a reciprocal deal on the rights of UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK.”

Accordingly, spokesperson for Theresa May’s Government claimed they are willing to discuss offering ‘opt in’ EU citizenship for Britons who want to remain under the yoke of Brussels.

The spokesperson said:”Securing the status of UK nationals in the EU and EU nationals in the UK, on a reciprocal basis, is a top priority for us as we enter into negotiations. We welcome the fact that our European partners are also prioritising this and will be seeking the earliest possible agreement on this issue.

"As for future arrangements, these will be subject to discussion. Naturally we will discuss any ideas that are put forward."