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Theresa May mocked by EU parliament's chief negotiator | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The European Parliament’s chief Brexit co-ordinator has mocked Theresa May’s election campaign slogan, by suggesting she lacks a “strong and stable” understanding of the complex issues around Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. | The European Parliament’s chief Brexit co-ordinator has mocked Theresa May’s election campaign slogan, by suggesting she lacks a “strong and stable” understanding of the complex issues around Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. |
Guy Verhofstadt, already a fierce critic of the Prime Minister, finished his attack by saying it is “time to get real” about how difficult a Brexit deal may be. | Guy Verhofstadt, already a fierce critic of the Prime Minister, finished his attack by saying it is “time to get real” about how difficult a Brexit deal may be. |
It comes after a German newspaper reported that in the wake of a meeting with the Prime Minister, Jean Claude Juncker phoned Angela Merkel and said Ms May lives “in another galaxy” and is “deluding herself” over Brexit. | It comes after a German newspaper reported that in the wake of a meeting with the Prime Minister, Jean Claude Juncker phoned Angela Merkel and said Ms May lives “in another galaxy” and is “deluding herself” over Brexit. |
Mr Verhofstadt, who is heading the Parliament’s role in Brexit, said on Twitter: “Any Brexit deal requires a strong & stable understanding of the complex issues involved. The clock is ticking – it's time to get real.” | Mr Verhofstadt, who is heading the Parliament’s role in Brexit, said on Twitter: “Any Brexit deal requires a strong & stable understanding of the complex issues involved. The clock is ticking – it's time to get real.” |
Ms May has built her entire election campaign on the slogan “strong and stable”, which is being repeated over and again by her and her ministers in interviews. | Ms May has built her entire election campaign on the slogan “strong and stable”, which is being repeated over and again by her and her ministers in interviews. |
Leaks to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper suggested EU Commission President Mr Juncker knocked back Ms May’s plan to reach a deal guaranteeing citizens’ rights as early as June, because he believed the issue too complex to agree so soon. | Leaks to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper suggested EU Commission President Mr Juncker knocked back Ms May’s plan to reach a deal guaranteeing citizens’ rights as early as June, because he believed the issue too complex to agree so soon. |
Downing Street said it did not recognise the version of the meeting reported by the publication. | Downing Street said it did not recognise the version of the meeting reported by the publication. |
While Ms May’s officials described the face-to-face as “constructive” just after it ended, Mr Juncker is reported to have said: “I leave Downing Street 10 times more sceptical than I was before.” | While Ms May’s officials described the face-to-face as “constructive” just after it ended, Mr Juncker is reported to have said: “I leave Downing Street 10 times more sceptical than I was before.” |
On Tuesday morning No10 would not comment further on the leaks, apart from saying: “We approach these talks in a constructive manner and with huge amounts of goodwill.” | On Tuesday morning No10 would not comment further on the leaks, apart from saying: “We approach these talks in a constructive manner and with huge amounts of goodwill.” |
Ex-Belgian prime minister Mr Verhofstatd has previously attacked Theresa May over her decision to call an election, while apparently refusing to spell out more detail of her approach to Brexit. | Ex-Belgian prime minister Mr Verhofstatd has previously attacked Theresa May over her decision to call an election, while apparently refusing to spell out more detail of her approach to Brexit. |
He said: “It appears this election is being driven by the opportunism of the party in government, rather than by the people they represent.” | He said: “It appears this election is being driven by the opportunism of the party in government, rather than by the people they represent.” |
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