May shows concern for UK science

The prime minister wrote to Sir Paul Nurse during the first few days of her premiership.

Today’s papers

Theresa May has said that the UK is “enriched by the best minds form Europe and around the world” and stated that providing reassurance to European scientists living in the UK and UK scientists working in the EU would be a “priority”, in a letter to Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, that has been seen by the BBC. Mrs May wrote the letter just days after taking office, it reports. It quotes the prime minister as saying: “I wanted to write to you to make clear that the government’s ongoing commitment to science and research remains steadfast. I would like to reassure you about the government’s commitment to ensuring a positive outcome for UK science as we exit the European Union. While we negotiate a new relationship with our European partners, we are not turning our backs on European scientists.”