The leader of Wandsworth Council has demanded “absolute clarity” from the Prime Minister over the future status of EU citizens in the borough.

In a letter to Theresa May, Councillor Ravi Govindia said the uncertainly faced by the residents in question was “unfair and debilitating”.

He said: “They have enriched and continue to enrich our communities in more ways than I could hope to capture in this letter.

“They contribute greatly to public services, our vitality and to delivering the huge regeneration of our borough.”

A 15-page policy paper was recently published by the Government detailing that all three million EU citizens will have to apply for inclusion on a “settled status” register to remain in the country after Brexit.

A “settled status”, with a cut-off application date yet to be confirmed, will grant the same rights as British citizens. EU citizens with five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be entitled to apply for it.

This includes equal rights on education, social welfare and healthcare.

EU citizens with fewer than five years’ residence who arrive before the cut-off date will be entitled to stay for the five years.

However, many details still need to be clarified during Brexit talks.

Cllr Govindia said he has “no doubt they will be given the right to remain” but is calling for clarity “so they can plan their lives and make informed decisions in the interests of their families, careers and businesses”.

He said: “As someone who came to the UK from Uganda in 1972, I recall the decisiveness with which our party in government acted and once that decision was made how much of a relief it was to my family and many others like us.”

Wandsworth voted overwhelming to remain in the EU at 75 per cent.

He finished the letter: “We believe that all of Wandsworth's residents, wherever they come from, will want to play their part in this endeavour - they just need to know that their future is here.”

No. 10 was contacted for this story but said the Prime Minister will respond in due course.