25 Sep, 2019 @ 16:13
1 min read

British campaign groups urge for more ‘clarity’ and less ‘gung-ho optimism’ over key Brexit arrangements after meeting UK Brexit Secretary in Madrid

Stephen Barclay Meets Brits John Carrivick Far Right

REPRESENTATIVES of campaign groups for British nationals in Spain have urged for ‘greater clarity’ after meeting with the UK’s Brexit Secretary.

John Carrivick, vice-president of EuroCitizens, said ‘less gung-ho optimism’ was needed from Stephen Barclay over crucial issues like rights to ‘benefits’ and ‘healthcare’.

Barclay met with Carrivick, as well as representatives from Brexpats in Spain and ECREU, at the British Embassy in Madrid before flying to Brussels.

Stephen Barclay Meets Brits John Carrivick Far Right
‘MORE CLARITY’: Representatives of British campaign John Carrivick (right) and Anne Hernandez (third from left) met with the Brexit Secretary (centre) last week

“Why is the uprating of pensions within the exclusive gift of the UK government being made subject to reciprocity, and thereby placing it at risk?” Carrivick told the Olive Press.

President of Brexpats in Spain, Anne Hernandez, said: “It seemed to us the buzzword of Mr Barclay was ‘intention’ – but we don’t want intention, we want action.”

Hernandez said it was the first time a Brexit Secretary had spoken with her, despite ‘numerous’ conversations with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and EU Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt.

In a video message after the meeting, Barclay affirmed the government’s commitment to ‘safeguard citizens’ rights’.

It comes as Barclay is locked in talks with the EU over amendments to Theresa May’s withdrawal deal ‘minus’ the controversial Irish backstop, according to statements made during the meeting.

Joshua Parfitt

Joshua James Parfitt is the Costa Blanca correspondent for the Olive Press. He holds a gold-standard NCTJ in multimedia journalism from the award-winning News Associates in Twickenham. His work has been published in the Sunday Times, Esquire, the Mail on Sunday, the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Sun on Sunday, the Mirror, among others. He has appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss devastating flooding in Spain, as well as making appearances on BBC and LBC radio stations.

Contact me now: joshua@theolivepress.es or call +44 07960046259. Twitter: @jjparfitt

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