MK's Tory MPs Block Proof to Stay for EU Citizens In UK

MPs Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart vote to block physical proof of right of residence for 25,680 EU citizens in Milton Keynes

The Liberal Democrats have warned that Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart, Conservative MPs for Milton Keynes North and South respectively, are risking a "new Windrush-style scandal", after they voted to refuse to offer EU citizens physical proof of their right to stay in the UK.

On Monday (19th October), Tory MPs overturned a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Immigration Bill, which passed in the House of Lords just weeks ago. The amendment would require the Home Office to give EU Citizens physical proof of Settled and Pre-Settled Status, rather than the digital-only system the Home Office is currently pursuing.

Conservatives in the House of Commons rejected the amendment by 331 votes to 260. Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart were among those voting to scrap the amendment, while Liberal Democrat MPs and MPs in all other parties voted to retain it.

The latest Home Office figures show that, as of the end of June, 25,680 people in Milton Keynes have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme for the right to stay in the UK after the Brexit transition period ends. 13,990 have been granted Settled Status so far, while a further 9,450 have been granted temporary Pre-Settled Status.

Following the vote, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

"The Conservatives' decision to overturn this Liberal Democrat amendment shows how empty their promises to guarantee citizens' rights after Brexit really are. Their Hostile Environment is, sadly, alive and well.

"The Windrush Scandal showed the devastating impact of the Hostile Environment on people who cannot easily prove their rights. By denying EU citizens physical proof of Settled Status, the Government risks making them the victims of a new Windrush-style Scandal."

Councillor Douglas McCall, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Milton Keynes Council said:

"EU citizens in Milton Keynes are our families and friends, our colleagues and carers. They have been living under a cloud of uncertainty for far too long.

"By refusing to provide EU citizens with physical proof of their rights and forcing them to rely on a digital code and an online Home Office database, Ben Everitt MP and Iain Stewart MP are putting them at risk of discrimination.

"Liberal Democrats are fighting for EU citizens to be given the automatic right to stay in the UK, with physical proof of their status."