'It's ARROGANCE!' MEP hits out at Barnier and Verhofstadt for PUNISHING UK in Brexit talks
GERMAN MEP Hans-Olaf Henkel hit out at the European Union’s Michel Barnier and Guy Verhofstadt for treating the UK with a “high level of arrogance” in Brexit talks.
MEP: Brussels has treated the British with arrogance
The German MEP for the European Conservatives and Reformists said it is “about time” the EU realise what is to lose if they do not work for a good Brexit deal.
Speaking on BBC News, Mr Henkel said: “I think they should be silent because Monsieur Barnier who is the chief negotiator on the European side and Mr Verhofstadt in particular who is the representative of the European Parliament have been treating the British with a high degree of arrogance.”
Mr Henkel said he has “some understanding” why Theresa May’s new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab went from being a Remainer to a Brexiteer.
He added: “I have some understanding for that because they really treated the British with arrogance.
I have some understanding for that because they really treated the British with arrogance
“So I think they are now well advised to make sure that the British get the best deal possible.
“Because the best deal for British industry is automatically the best deal for the European industry.”
The German MEP insisted “impact” of Brexit on Europe has not been “quite understood”.
Mr Henkel said: “The British start to understand it. Let me just add that after Brexit, not China and not the Untied States, but Britain will become the largest customer of the European Union.
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“I think it’s about time that the negotiators in Brussels recognise that.”
On Thursday, the Government’s white paper was released which sets out a 98-page blueprint for the country’s future relationship with the EU.
The white paper was expected to be published last month but was delayed after a constant disagreement between cabinet ministers.
The document details the government's plans for the future economic and security partnership with the EU, as well as other cooperative and institutional arrangements once Britain leaves the bloc.