'They're being RECKLESS!' Brussels leader launches SAVAGE attack Britain's Brexit team
BRITAIN's Brexit strategy has failed to incorporate Theresa May's Florence proposals and is only causing both parties to "waste time", Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts claimed.
Belgian MEP: Get an audit company to tell UK how much they owe
Mr Lamberts said the Brexit deal is only taking time away from more important negotiating points when it could quickly be resolved.
He said: "If we have to be honest, we want the UK to honour all its liabilities but then, of course, we have to deduct from that the parts of the assets that the UK owns.
"As long as we agree on the baseline, on the principles, I would go as far as saying ‘let an audit company do the reckoning and say how much is due by when."
Speaking to the Victoria Derbyshire programme, the co-leader of the European Free alliance accused the UK of recklessness as Brexit talks progress.
He said: "The British government at the moment is conducting the negotiation in a reckless way. The sense is that the clock is ticking.
"Negotiating a deal – with all the best of will – in two years is already a challenge but we have lost a considerable amount of time.
"And you may say Theresa May delivered a grand speech in Florence but we did not see any of the intentions that she declared translated into actual negotiating propositions since then. It’s like delaying tactics!"
Labour MP admits Brexit transition deal would NOT WORK
We did not see any of the intentions that she declared translated into actual negotiating propositions
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier issued the UK with a stark warning urging Britain to clarify its Brexit demands ahead of the EU leaders' last summit in December.
Mr Barnier told Brexit Secretary David Davis that talks could not move on to trade arrangements until the UK showed "real and sincere progress" on the three main Brexit issues – the divorce bill, citizens' rights and the Irish border."
Sources close to the British negotiating team said talks are at risk of collapsing because Brussels refuses to take a more reasonable stance on the Brexit bill in particular.
Prime Minister Theresa May is thought to be considering increasing her divorce bill offer after EU diplomats informed her £18bn (€20bn) will not be enough to please the remaining 27 member states.