Danny Kruger votes to block physical proof for 11,710 EU citizens in Wiltshire

The Liberal Democrats have warned that Danny Kruger, Conservative MP for Devizes, is risking a "new Windrush-style scandal", after he voted to refuse to offer EU citizens physical proof of their right to stay in the UK.

On Monday (19th October), Tory MPs overturned a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Immigration Bill, which passed in the House of Lords just weeks ago. The amendment would require the Home Office to give EU Citizens physical proof of Settled and Pre-Settled Status, rather than the digital-only system the Home Office is currently pursuing.

Conservatives in the House of Commons rejected the amendment by 331 votes to 260. Danny Kruger was among those voting to scrap the amendment, while Liberal Democrat MPs and MPs in all other parties voted to retain it.

The latest Home Office figures show that, as of the end of June,11,710 people in Wiltshire have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme for the right to stay in the UK after the Brexit transition period ends. 7,100 have been granted Settled Status so far, while a further 3,860 have been granted temporary Pre-Settled Status.

Following the vote, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

"The Conservatives' decision to overturn this Liberal Democrat amendment shows how empty their promises to guarantee citizens' rights after Brexit really are. Their Hostile Environment is, sadly, alive and well.

"The Windrush Scandal showed the devastating impact of the Hostile Environment on people who cannot easily prove their rights. By denying EU citizens physical proof of Settled Status, the Government risks making them the victims of a new Windrush-style Scandal."

Jo Waltham Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Devizes, said:

"EU citizens in Wiltshire are our families and friends, our colleagues and carers. They have been living under a cloud of uncertainty for far too long.

"By refusing to provide EU citizens with physical proof of their rights and forcing them to rely on a digital code and an online Home Office database, Danny Kruger is putting them at risk of discrimination.

"Liberal Democrats are fighting for EU citizens to be given the automatic right to stay in the UK, with physical proof of their status."