Harvie urges help for EU citizens to stay in Scotland
At today's First Minister's Questions, Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, urged the Scottish Government to do more to help EU citizens worried about their right to stay here.
In light of the EU referendum vote last Friday morning, the Scottish Greens launched a petition calling on Holyrood to exhaust all options to keep Scotland in Europe. To date the petition has been signed by almost 40,000 people.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"This must be the first time in generations that a political decision has resulted in so many of our friends and neighbours being left afraid and uncertain about something so fundamental as where they will be allowed to live. I'm pleased that the First Minister supports my call for the UK Government to give urgent reassurance to EU citizens that they have a right to stay here.
"I also welcome the First Minister's commitment to improve practical assistance for those who are struggling with the complicated process of applying for residency. We must reassure people and we must do our utmost to keep Scotland in Europe."