LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has slammed the government's move to instantly end free movement of EU citizens in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
In a letter to home secretary Priti Patel on Monday (19), Khan said he was “very concerned” about plans to end free movement on day one of a no-deal Brexit. “I urge you strongly to reconsider,” he said, reported the Independent.
Khan continued: “I fear that such a reckless change to our immigration system would have far deeper consequences too.
“Three million EU citizens living in the UK right now – one million of whom are Londoners – make an enormous contribution to our economic, cultural and civic life.
“By putting the rights and freedoms of EU citizens in the UK at risk in such a careless and brutal fashion, these plans would be a fundamental affront to British values of tolerance and respect.
Khan also added that these plans "risk providing encouragement and cover for perpetrators of hate crime and discrimination in the UK who may be heartened by the government discriminating against people on the basis of their nationality.”
The move has also been slammed by the Liberal Democrats, who accused Patel of being “completely detached from reality”.
“It is completely detached from reality and is next chapter in the never-ending saga of the utter mess they are making of Brexit," Ed Davey, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson, was quoted as saying.
“What would this mean for EU citizens who have made their home in the UK who have travelled abroad when they try to return?
“Are the government seriously suggesting an NHS nurse who is an EU national may not be allowed to return to the country if they happen to have been on holiday? It is absurd.”
According to reports, Patel believes this immigration shake-up can be brought in through secondary legislation in a way that would bypass MPs of all parties who would oppose it.
Officials have already been dispatched to Singapore to "understand how a well functioning immigration IT system is developed", including how to "count people in and out the country," a source told the Telegraph.
Patel's move is a shift from the position of her predecessor, Sajid Javid, who had said a day-one end to free movement was not “practical.”
Meanwhile, a Home Office source said Patel wants to "toughen" the department's stance.
"She thinks Saj did a great job but with a new prime minister and new priorities changes needed to be made," the source was quoted as saying.
"For a start that means properly preparing for no deal, it's clear those in the centre had no intention of preparing for no deal."
