A Swedish MP has stated that the deportation of British citizens from Sweden due to Brexit residency rights is harming relations with the UK. Häkan Svenneling, a representative for Vârmland, has written to migration minister Johan Forssell, asking what he intends to do to stop the deportations.
Mr Svenneling highlighted the case of Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow who has been ordered to leave Sweden within four weeks after 21 years of residency. He also mentioned Horace George Mason, 74, who has dementia and Parkinson's and was also given four weeks to leave.
The MP argued in his letter that Britons lawfully in Sweden before the UK's exit from the EU should have their existing residency rights continue under the withdrawal agreement. He stated that the agreement was not intended to result in elderly people losing their rights due to a missed deadline or application deficiencies.
The UK Foreign Office has repeatedly expressed concerns to the European Commission, noting that Sweden appears to be taking a considerably stricter approach to late applications than other EU member states, with a disproportionate number of refusals.