Brits will still be able to get free healthcare everywhere in Europe despite Brexit, David Davis vows

BRITISH tourists will still get free healthcare when they go on holiday in Europe, the Brexit Secretary pledged today.

David Davis said that the current scheme of Europe-wide health insurance will continue after Britain has quit the EU.

He also promised that no EU citizens will be deported from the UK unless they have committed a crime.

Appearing on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Davis gave more details about his efforts to secure a good deal for Brits abroad and Europeans in this country.

He said that the 3million EU citizens living here will have rights which are “effectively the same as British citizenship rights”.

Asked if anyone who arrived in Britain before this year would be deported, Mr Davis replied: “I don’t think so, unless they’ve committed a crime.”

And he vowed to secure the future of the EHIC programme, which means that all Brits and other EU citizens get free healthcare wherever they are in Europe.

He said: “We’re looking to see if we can get a continuation of the EHIC scheme as it currently exists.

“If we can’t get one we will provide one unilaterally.”

That means that British people who travel, live or work in Europe will not have to worry about being stung by huge hospital bills if they fall ill.

Mr Davis denied that his meetings with the EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had been “macho” and said he was “pretty sure” that the two men can strike a deal.

He said: “At the end of the day the key in any negotiation – it’s not about the macho clashing of antlers, it’s about finding the place that suits both sides.”

Asked if he was sure there would be a deal cut, he said: “I’m pretty sure, I am not 100 per cent sure, you can never be, it’s a negotiation.

“I’m sure there will be a deal, whether it’s the deal I want, which is a free trade agreement, the customs agreement, and so on, I’m pretty sure, but I’m not certain.

“We cannot have a circumstance where the other side says that they are going to punish you. So, if that happens then there is a walkaway, and we have to plan for that.

“Half my job is the invisible job of actually planning for all outcomes, the good, the bad, the whole range.”

The Brexit Secretary added that there would have to be a transition period of up to two years after Brexit to help businesses adjust to life outside the EU.

And he pledged that the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic will be “invisible” and rely on hi-tech solutions such as licence plate recognition to avoid erecting barriers for individuals.

Asked about speculation that he and Philip Hammond are teaming up for a joint leadership bid, Mr Davis insisted that he supports the PM and compared her favourably to David Cameron’s “essay crisis” style.

He told Mr Marr: “I happen to think we have a very good PM.

“I think she’s very good, she makes good decisions, she takes her time – there’s no essay crisis about this Government.”

Addressing Tory rebels directly, he added: “Stop being so self-indulgent, get on with the day job.”

Mr Davis met Mr Barnier for the start of Brexit negotiations on Monday.

The pair will thrash out an agreement on Britain’s divorce bill and the rights of EU citizens, before moving on to talks on a free-trade deal.