The Latest: EU will allow UK citizens visa-free access

A pro EU protestor demonstrates opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set for a marathon session with her Cabinet as the government tries to find a way out of the Brexit crisis, after lawmakers again rejected all alternatives to her European Union withdrawal agreement. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

LONDON — The Latest on Britain’s departure from the European Union (all times local):

9:05 a.m.

European Union lawmakers say British citizens should be allowed to travel in Europe visa-free after Brexit but only if the U.K. grants the same right to EU citizens, as the bloc prepares for Britain’s possible departure without a deal.

The EU’s Civil Liberties Committee voted overwhelmingly Wednesday — 38 votes in favour, 8 against and 3 abstentions — to allow tourism or business trips.

The move permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but does not grant the right to work. The full parliament is likely to endorse the decision Thursday.

EU officials say it is “very likely” that Britain will depart without a deal, bringing potentially devastating political and economic consequences.

The Europeans are publicly stepping up their no-deal planning, increasing pressure on the U.K. parliament to find a compromise.

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9 a.m.

Britain’s Brexit secretary says the government is not offering a “blank check” to the opposition after Prime Minister Theresa May offered to meet with the Labour Party leader in hopes of ending the impasse over the U.K.’s departure from the European Union.

Steve Barclay told the BBC on Wednesday that some Labour proposals, such as a customs union with the EU, would be “very difficult” for the government to accept but both sides need to sit down and work out an agreement to avoid a damaging no-deal Brexit.

Barclay said: “We’re not setting pre-conditions, but nor is it a blank check.”

But he added that the “remorseless logic” of Parliament’s failure to back the prime minister’s withdrawal agreement with the EU is that Britain must move toward a softer form of Brexit.

The Associated Press