Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman has avoided a 'rather foolish' offer made to a constituent after the Government scrapped a plan to charge EU citizens to live in the UK after Brexit.
Mr Merriman said he was so sure the Government would not introduce a charge for EU citizens to continue living in the UK that he offered to pay any charge an Italian constituent would have to pay.
Theresa May announced to MPs on Monday (January 21) she would scrap the fee as she attempted to renegotiate her withdrawal agreement after her previous deal was voted down by 230 votes.
Mr Merriman, who voted in favour of Mrs May's previous withdrawal agreement, welcomed the Prime Minister's decision and said: "Rather than spin my way out, I was straight with my constituents in that I had made an error when telling them that the Government would levy for free, using the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.
"Rather than hide, I was happy to hold my hands up and I've since spent the last couple of weeks canvassing opinions from across the House to get this changed to the approach I expected.
"From Jacob Rees Mogg to the Scottish National Party, it was clear that most MPs, be they remainers or leavers, wanted to see EU citizens given the same rights that they currently enjoy without the need to pay for a change brought about by our EU Referendum.
"The Prime Minister promised that she would look across Parliament and win our support. This is a great step.
The MP's office team in Bexhill said it has attended training from the Home Office to ensure that it can assist any EU citizen who experiences difficulties navigating their way through the registration process.