Gove ‘to offer free British passports’ to 3m EU nationals living in UK at time of Brexit vote

Environment secretary Michael Gove will pledge next week to offer free British passports to the 3m EU nationals who were living in the UK at the time of the Brexit referendum in 2016.

The pledge underlines Gove’s entry into the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May later this summer after she steps down next month, and is being framed as an attempt to heal wide social divisions which have opened up in the wake of the vote.

Gove made clear over the weekend that he intends to challenge for the top job, saying: “I believe that I'm ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit, and ready to lead this great country.”

The £1,330 fee which will apply to EU nationals seeking UK passports after Britain leaves the bloc would be waived under the policy, according to Sky News, which cited Gove’s aides.

The Home Office’s settled status scheme, which stipulates EU citizens must prove they have lived in the UK for five years to retain their rights after Brexit, will also be changed to a registration scheme if Gove emerges victorious, according to reports.

A source close to Gove told Sky News: “Michael Gove is ready to unite the country. Guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals here in the UK through a declaratory scheme, and making a generous offer of citizenship to those lawfully here at the time of the referendum, is a first step in that direction.

“This is simply the right thing to do – honouring the promise of Vote Leave that EU nationals studying, working and living in the UK were welcome to stay. Michael Gove led that campaign and now he's ready to deliver Brexit.”