• I WAS interested to read Keir Starmer QC MP’s letter regarding the launch of the EU Right to Stay lobby (February 23).

It is a good initiative and will help give hope to many in times of uncertainty. But I thought it might be helpful to let Camden’s residents who are EU citizens know that they can apply now to remain in the UK permanently if they have been living here for the past five years and exercising treaty rights, that is, they have been working, looking for work, studying, are self-employed or are self-sufficient. They can go to https://www.gov.uk/eea-registration-certificate/ overview and read the section on permanent residence after five years.

They can apply online and go via Camden’s nationality checking service to show their passports and paperwork so they do not have to send their passports in for the whole of the application process. The process can take up to six months and in some cases take even more time. A year after obtaining their permanent residence permission, they can apply via the naturalisation process for a British passport. I hope this helps any fearful of their futures here.

JESSICA LEARMOND-CRIQUI NW3