Eurosceptics anger as EU appoints arch-federalist Belgian Guy Verhofstadt as its chief Brexit negotiator
FORMER Belgian PM branded Brexiteers 'rats leaving the sinking ship' during the referendum
The European Parliament have appointed an arch-federalist Belgian as their chief Brexit negotiator, infuriating Eurosceptics.
Former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt branded Brexiteers “rats leaving the sinking ship” during the referendum, but will now take part in crunch talks over Britain’s exit deal.
The Liberal Member of the European Parliament is one of the most vocal defenders of the European project and his appointment has been viewed as act of open hostility to Britain.
Tonight Nigel Farage raged: “Guy Verhofstadt hates everything we stand for which should mean a much shorter renegotiation.
“Mr. Verhofstadt is a fanatical supporter of EU federalism even by the standards of the European Parliament.”
He added: “This appointment will no doubt speed up the UK’s exit from the European Union.”
The most senior Conservative MEP Syed Kamall also hit out, demanding a full vote on any appointment.
He said: “It is not right that the President and a couple of men sitting in a back room can decide everything and foist it on the democratically elected representatives.”
“If the parliament thinks that Guy Verhofstadt is the right person to represent it in the negotiations then that’s fair enough, but these backroom stitch-ups are disrespectful of the 747 other MEPs and their voters.”