Theresa May 'told by Brussels bigwigs to KEEP EU laws after Brexit' in leaked memo

Leaked EU negotiating guidelines show the bloc will order the PM to give lifelong legal protection to EU citizens under rulings from the ECJ.

The leaked documents call on Mrs May to submit to the ECJ decisions on pensions, employment and welfare rights of EU nationals, as well as rulings on future security cooperations.

The negotiating draft states agreeing citizen’s rights “will be the first priority for the negotiations” and the jurisdiction of the ECJ “must be maintained”.

The draft added: “Those rights should be protected as directly enforceable vested rights for the lifetime of those concerned.”

Leading Eurosceptic Tory Sir William Cash said it would be “completely impossible” for the Prime Minister to submit to Brussels’ will.

He added: “The manner and depth of this authority would suggest that we are not leaving the EU at all.

“From the day we leave we cannot and will not be subject to the ECJ.”

But freshly elected President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani has claimed accepting the authority of the ECJ is the only way to move forwards with a deal.

Mr Tajani told The Times: “Technically it is the only possible solution.

“If you want to continue to guarantee citizens’ rights you need to refer to the ECJ.

“The European parliament is very clear on this. Citizens’ rights is a red line.”

A deal to protect EU citizens lifelong rights in the UK would also protect Britons overseas.

But the move will tie the Prime Minister’s hands if she continues to guide the nation through Brexit after the June 8 election.

A Government spokesman said: “We have always been clear that securing the rights of EU citizens in the UK and those of UK citizens in the other member states is a priority for us.”