AS AN MEP I get to vote on the final Brexit deal in the European Parliament.

I will not vote for any deal which undermines the rights of the three million EU citizens living in the UK.

The current proposals from the Conservative Government would leave EU families, couples and individuals with fewer rights and protections than British expats are being offered by the EU.

This is wholly unacceptable.

Subjecting family members to minimum income requirements and forcing them to make additional applications to remain in the UK fails to respect family life and adds red-tape and costs.

This even contradicts the Vote Leave manifesto, which promised to treat EU citizens “no less favourably than they are at present”.

EU nationals have made the UK their home in good faith.

Their rights, freedoms and protections must be defended, and upheld by the European Court of Justice.

As an MEP I have a duty to enhance and extend rights, not reduce them.

Molly Scott Cato

MEP European Parliament Brussels