Andrew Neil's best slap down? Moment departing Sunday Politics host took down German MEP
ANDREW NEIL has stepped down from his role presenting the BBC’s Sunday Politics after more than five years of tough political interviews.
"Have you learned nothing?" - Andrew Neil shuts down MEP
The veteran BBC host maintained his formidable reputation of leaving politicians squirming after his tough line of questioning, with British and European politicians suffering at his hands.
Neil will be replaced by Sarah Smith, who will host the programme when it returns from its summer break on September 17.
In one of Neil’s most memorable interviews, the host tore into a German MEP and effectively accused European Union federalists of burying their heads in the sand and failing to realise the dangers of EU disintegration.
In January of this year, Manfred Weber criticised Britain’s desire to continue doing business with the EU while not being a member of the bloc.
Have you learned nothing from Brexit?
Neil reacted furiously, questioning if Mr Weber was not worried about the rise of eurosceptic movements across the Continent.
“Have you learned nothing from Brexit?” Neil asked on BBC Daily Politics.
A stammering Mr Weber responded: “I have learned a lot, for example, that nobody explained to the British people what the EU is all about.”
He then mocked Theresa May for extolling the virtues of free trade while simultaneously planning to take Britain out of the single market.
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Mr Weber continued: “For example, when we talk about trade, Theresa May made clear statements on trade, so what is EU?
“EU is the single market, that is a free trade zone – the whole ideal of the European Union, that is what the Brits always wanted.
“That was the idea of Europe – now you say you want to leave the European Union but on the other hand, you say I want to have a free trade agreement, which leads to a situation where nothing will change.
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“Do you want to leave the single market or you don’t want to leave – that is the question.”
Speaking of his time on the Sunday Politics, Neil said: “I loved presenting Sunday Politics, it was a privilege and honour to hold the political discourse up to the light for all those years and while I miss it greatly I am delighted to continue to work for the BBC on This Week, Daily Politics and other projects.
“I wish Sarah the best of luck with this challenging and wonderful production.”
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