EU parliament condemns UK Brexit proposals on citizen rights

BRUSSELS: The European Parliament's group on Brexit negotiations has made a damning assessment of British proposals on EU citizens' rights after the UK leaves the European Union, a further indication of how tough the two-year negotiations are expected to become.

In a letter Monday to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, the group said "the UK does not respect the principles of reciprocity, symmetry and non- discrimination."

Furthermore, it said that under the UK proposals made on June 26, EU citizens in Britain would be looking at "nothing less than relegation to second-class status."

Citizens' rights in each other's nations are considered the first issue that both sides must settle.

Even though Barnier is leading the negotiations, the European Parliament still has a veto right on any deal.