Poles in UK safe even under 'hard' Brexit: deputy FM

Speaking to public broadcaster Polish Radio, Konrad Szymański said that the rights of Polish citizens in Britain were guaranteed under a withdrawal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

But even if Britain leaves the EU without a deal, there is still a political agreement between Warsaw and London that is now taking formal shape through legislation in both countries, Szymański said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May at the end of last year told Poles living in her country that they were welcome and would be able to stay in the UK after Brexit.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in London in December, May said: "My message to Polish people is clear: You can stay and we want you to stay."

Szymański, a deputy foreign minister in charge of European affairs, told Polish Radio on Monday that the probability of a hard Brexit was “now greater than ever” even though EU members including Poland were doing everything to avoid such a scenario.

On March 29, Britain is due to become the first country to ever leave the bloc.

Around 1 million Poles live in the UK, constituting that country’s largest minority community.

(gs/pk)

Source: Polish Radio