EU frets over its citizens' rights after Britain's imminent exit from bloc

The European Union has called on the British government to set up an independent monitoring authority to ensure there is no discrimination against EU citizens seeking permanent residency in the United Kingdom.

Members of the European Parliament have warned that Britain's imminent exit from the bloc could endanger the rights and protections of many of the 3.5 million EU citizens living there.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told European lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday they must not accept any "disguised" form of discrimination in negotiations.