Former chancellor blasts Jean-Claude Juncker for abandoning ‘sympathetic’ view of Britain
FORMER Chancellor Lord Lamont has hit out at Jean-Claude’s Brexit position, saying the European union chief used to be “sympathetic” to British interests.
Norman Lamont: Juncker used to be sympathetic towards Britain
Norman Lamont said the President of the European Commission previously took into account Britain’s demand to be “treated differently” within the Brussels bloc.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, the former Tory MP for Kingston-upon-Thames, said he did not recognise Mr Juncker’s current position and said the eurocrat should not comment on British matters.
“He was not unsympathetic to special British interests or Britain wanting to be exempt or treated differently," he said.
“So, sometimes, I think the Jean-Claude Juncker I read about now has become a very different sort of person.
Lord Lamont said Jean-Claude Juncker had a sympathetic view on Britain.
It is not necessary for him to make dire predictions of what will happen to Britain
“We understand Europe has to argue for its interest. But it is not necessary for him to make dire predictions of what will happen to Britain and to do so in an election is completely inappropriate.
“I think it is interference in the election but I think it’s probably motivated more by hurt than anything else.”
Meanwhile, Mr Juncker has admitted leaks about his discussions with Theresa May over a Downing Street dinner were a “serious mistake”.
The President of the European Commission was alleged to have remarked: “I leave Downing Street 10 times as sceptical as I was before.”
And he reportedly claimed the meeting had been a “disaster”, as he allegedly describe Mrs May as “deluded” and “in another galaxy”.
Reports of angry exchanges between the Prime Minister and Brussels chief, leaked to a German newspaper, caused a huge fallout on either side of the channel.
But Mr Juncker has since insisted he was not responsible for the scathing account of his meeting with Mrs May.