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1/ A new exchange of letters between Steven Barclay and Michel Barnier, published by DExEU today, lifts the lid on a UK-EU row over whether the citizens' rights part of the Brexit agreement should be ring-fenced in the event of No Deal. UK is asking for this, the EU resisting.
2/ In his letter of March 4, Barclay urges the Commission to consider the proposal, put forward by Tory MP Alberto Costa, to carve out the provisions on citizens' rights as the best way to protect people. He also expresses concerns on EU27 provisions for UK citizens' healthcare. 
3/ Barnier replies on March 25 and pours cold water over the whole idea. He argues A) why bother seeing as the Commons has voted to rule out No Deal anyway, B) it's too complicated to just carve it out and C) in the EU's eyes, it's impossible to police without ECJ jurisdiction.
4/ Today, Barclay has hit back at Commission position arguing citizens' rights groups, including @BritishInEurope and @the3million, support UK's plan. He also again points out holes in EU27 planning to ensure Brits' rights and that the EU's own parliament supports ring-fencing.
5/ What will actually happen if we ever get to the point of No Deal is still very much up in the air. In that scenario, the Commission clinging to its somewhat technocratic arguments on this may begin to become a very bad look. Suspect that's why DExEU has released these letters.
