‘Utterly deplorable’: EU citizens react to MPs rejecting guarantee for them to stay in UK after Brexit

‘Parliament has rejected our basic request to be treated like human beings, not bargaining chips’

Theresa May’s Brexit bill passed through the commons without any amendments (Getty)

Under the Government’s Brexit bill, over 3 million EU citizens living in the UK now face an uncertain future.

By 332 votes to 290, MPs voted down an amendment to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, which was brought by Labour’s Harriet Harman.

The Prime Minister avoided a Conservative revolt, which would have forced the Government to guarantee EU citizens’ rights, including the right to stay in the country when Britain withdraws from the bloc.

The vote meant that Theresa May’s Brexit bill passed through the commons without any amendments.

Those voting down the amendment included five Labour MPs. Most surprising among these was perhaps Labour MP Gisela Stuart. Though she was a leading Vote Leave figure for Labour, she claimed EU citizens had been “left in limbo” after June’s EU referendum, and called on the Government to protect their right to stay in the UK.

The other Labour MPs who opposed the amendment were Kelvin Hopkins, Kate Hoey, Graham Stringer and Frank Field.

The vote on the amendment has generated dismay among EU citizens living in Britain and their friends and families.

Nicolas Hatton, the founder and co-chair of organisation the3million, which campaigns to have EU citizens’ rights safeguarded after Brexit, told The Independent: “The mood is sombre among EU citizens today following another vote in Parliament rejecting our basic request to be treated like human beings, not bargaining chips.

“It’s a disappointment that MPs who were vocal about granting our rights unilaterally have decided to vote with the Government and keep EU citizens waiting for a guarantee. EU citizens will be gaining citizenship in their hundreds of thousands before the next general election and they will remember who was as good as their word at the next general election.”

Paul McGowan, a cyber security architect from Airdrie in Scotland and whose partner is Lithuanian told The Independent the result of the vote has caused “serious panic” in his family with the couple’s nine-year-old daughter distraught at the possibility of her mother being deported.

“I am totally disgusted that a world-leading nation like Britain is acting in this manner,” he said. “Not protecting EU citizens' rights has a direct impact on thousands of British families just like mine who now face the prospect of having our families ripped apart for no reason.”

He added: “The 332 MPs who voted against this amendment should hang their heads in shame for the callous way in which they have acted, with many of them having voted against the wishes of many of their constituents that they are being paid to represent. An utterly deplorable and shameful act.”

Livia Franchini, a writer and literary translator from Italy said she is “an EU citizen and millennial whose future has been used as a pawn” by the Government over the past year.

“Why fight for the right to belong to a culture that doesn’t want me? Maybe I’ll do better struggling among my own”, she tweeted.

Lindis Kipp, who has dual citizenship and lives in Scotland told The Independent: “I know dozens of EU citizens who have lived here - like me - for decades by choice. They are part of British society and have now been told they are not welcome and will be used as bargaining chips.”

“It makes me feel angry and ashamed. These are the result of years of misinformation by politicians and tabloid media,” she added.

In a bid to see off a Tory revolt, Home Secretary Amber Rudd sent a letter to MPs promising the Government would provide “assurances” about EU citizens’ “immigration status”, as soon as Article 50 is triggered.

In the letter she wrote: “There is absolutely no question of treating EU citizens with anything other than the utmost respect, recognising the contribution they make not just to our economy, but also working in crucial public services like the NHS. Without them we would be poorer and our public services weaker. That’s why we will be making securing their status, as well as that of British nationals in the EU, a priority as soon as we trigger Article 50 and the negotiations begin.”

A protest in Westminster has been planned in response to the bill.

Maike Bohn of the3million said: “We want to convince a majority of MPs that it will only take a little bit of political courage to release the pressure for the 3 million Europeans who have come in good faith and are being taken hostage by Theresa May in the name of Brexit.”

The protest, organised with Unison and pressure group New Europeans will coincide with action for One Day Without Us, a national “day of action”, to celebrate the contribution migrants make to Britain.

Despite the Government’s opposition to protecting EU citizens’ right in Britain, the Prime Minister has said that guaranteeing the rights of UK citizens living in the EU is a priority.

But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has blocked any early deal-making until the formal withdrawal process begins.