EU SHOCK DEMAND: Britain MUST pay Brussels until at least 2020 - EU budget chief warns
BRITAIN will pay into the coffers of the bureaucratic European Union (EU) until “at least 2020” despite Brexit scheduled to take place before then, the bloc’s budget chief has demanded.
'Out is out': Oettinger issues warning to post-Brexit UK
Günther Oettinger’s warning shot comes as the cash-strapped Brussels club order a divorce bill of up to £90billion (€100bn) as it faces the prospect of losing its second-biggest financial contributor.
The European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, said Britain had a duty to “honour its obligations”.
He told German newspaper Bild: “As a result, London will have to transfer funds to Brussels at least until 2020.”
Mr Oettinger also warned Germany it is likely to be forced to pay several billions more in order to fill the gap left by Britain when it finally unshackles itself from the bloc.
Brexiteer John Redwood: EU divorce bill is 'RIDICULOUS'
As a result, London will have to transfer funds to Brussels at least until 2020
He added: "I assume the missing British billions will be compensated by a mix of savings and higher contributions from the member states. In Germany, a manageable single-digit billion amount could be added. But I also want to abolish all rebates for EU countries.
"They were introduced decades ago because Britain insisted on a discount. If this 'mother of all rebates' is dropped by the Brexit, all other contribution benefits must also be cancelled.
"This would be a considerable administrative simplification and would end the previous horse trading in budget negotiations."
Mr Oettinger’s comments are likely to infuriate senior Brexiteers who have suggested Britain can walk away free.
Former Cabinet minister John Redwood said that ministers do not have the power on their own to sign off extra billions to Brussels beyond the current Budget period, which ends in 2020.
He said it was “completely ridiculous” to suggest the UK would have to pay to get Brussels to talk about trade because the European Union desperately needed a deal.
Whitehall sources this weekend suggested the Government is prepared to pay the Union a £36billion exit fee.
Furious senior backbenchers have dismissed the suggestion as “nonsense” and made it clear that an exit payment would not get their support in Parliament.