IT reads like a Brexit Doomsday scenario - EU nationals living and working in the UK are being urged to prepare for a “worst-case scenario” and, under no circumstances, to trust the UK Government or the Home Office.
The warning comes in a “red alert” email from a leading German journalist in Brussels, Udo Seiwert-Fauti, who said he is changing how and to whom he reports from the heart of Europe.
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Instead of warning Scots and Britons what a hard Brexit will mean to them, Seiwert-Fauti, who has followed Scopttish affairs closely, is now alerting EU nationals as to its consequences.
He said: “Having read hundreds of pages of talks and speeches held over the last two months... hundreds of pages of publications from Edinburgh and London, having talked to many in London, Edinburgh and within the EU, having listened and followed many briefings in the EU environment and the Council of Europe and having done much research to understand, I have come to the conclusion that we as EU nationals in the UK and in the EU are facing a hard Brexit.
“I am convinced we will see a knallhard [extremely tough] Brexit, on midnight continental time March 29, 2019. That will mean the UK will leave the EU without any joint deal.”
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He said that with a hard Brexit looming, all EU nationals in the UK and planning to visit after March 29, will lose all EU protections and rights, which were guaranteed as long as the UK was a member of the bloc.
“With a hard Brexit, nothing will be in place to safeguard EU nationals in the UK,” said Seiwert-Fauti. “After a hard Brexit the UK Government can do what it wants to set new rules and laws. It´s up to them. No EU rule or law can hinder the London government taking back control.”
He went on to say the Scottish Government – along with its Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts – would have no chance of stopping London over “so-called reserved matters” such as working rights, employment law, immigration, or border controls.
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Seiwert-Fauti said around 8000 UK citizens would lose their EU jobs after Brexit, and he urged EU nationals in the UK – including students, scientists and business people – to “urgently” check their personal circumstances.
He said: “After all I have heard and read... and remembering many letters written and sent by the Home Office, my advice would be under no circumstances trust the words of the UK Government and the Home Office.
“Whatever they tell us and publish - be cautious… even with their offer of a ‘settled status’ for EU nationals.”
He added: “Always remember these very open German words: all those who lied ahead of the EU referendum are still in place and keep on lying. Their task is solely to gain the power within the Conservative Party.
“While I have supported Scotland for the last 25 years of my life ... it is now time to face the future UK and Scotland reality.”
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