British citizens should be allowed to keep the benefits of EU membership, according to the chief Brexit negotiator at the European Parliament, according to BBC. 

Guy Verhofstadt said allowing individuals to keep rights, such as freedom to travel and vote in European elections should be a priority.

The former Belgian prime minister said Brexit had been a "tragedy" and a "disaster" for people in the UK and EU.

He also warned the European Parliament had veto powers over any deal struck.

Prime Minister Theresa May wants to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March, which would pave the way for Brexit negotiations, in which the rights of EU nationals living in the UK and Brits living on the continent will be a key issue.