UK, EU in spat over diplomatic status of bloc’s ambassador
Associated PressLONDON — Britain has sparked a post-Brexit spat with the European Union by declining to grant the bloc’s first-ever ambassador to the country full diplomatic status. “The EU’s status in external relations and its subsequent diplomatic status is amply recognized by countries and international organizations around the world, and we expect the United Kingdom to treat the EU Delegation accordingly and without delay,” European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman, Jamie Davies, said the Foreign Office was in talks with the EU about “the long-term arrangements for the EU delegation in the U.K.” “I am not going to pre-empt the outcome of those negotiations,” he said. The Foreign Office said in a statement that “the EU, its delegation and staff will receive the privileges and immunities necessary to enable them to carry out their work in the U.K. effectively.” The U.K. government didn’t say whether that amounted to full diplomatic mission status.
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EU wants full recognition for UK envoy in post-Brexit spat
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