EU’s Donald Tusk piles on more pressure for Theresa May to chuck Chequers for a Canada-style Brexit deal
In a furious attack the EU Council chief doubled down on his hard-line stance in Salzburg and accused the PM of "wasting time" by throwing around insults
BRUSSELS boss Donald Tusk ripped into Theresa May today as he piled more pressure on her to chuck Chequers for a Canada-style Brexit deal.
In a furious attack the EU Council chief doubled down on his hard-line stance in Salzburg and accused the PM of "wasting time" by throwing around insults.
The Pole also raged at Jeremy Hunt over his comparison of the EU to the Soviet Union, branding the foreign secretary's remarks "insulting".
Mr Tusk risked also enraging Downing Street by endorsing a Canada style trade deal over its beleaguered Chequers plan, to the delight of Brexiteers.
He said: "From the very beginning, the EU offer has been not just a Canada deal, but a Canada plus plus plus deal.
"Much further-reaching on trade, on internal security and on foreign policy cooperation."
And he added: "This is a true measure of respect. And this offer remains in place. The EU is serious about getting the best possible deal."
The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier suggested last month Britain would have to settle for a Canada-style trade deal - which is what many Brexiteers want too.
But Mrs May has ruled it out - saying it would break up Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
She said a No Deal situation would be better than the Canada model as it would be bad for the country.
In a searing address Mr Tusk also lashed the foreign secretary over his Soviet Union jibe and the PM over her demand Brussels shows more respect.
Mr Hunt was blasted earlier this week of accusing the EU of seeking to punish the UK to keep the club together.
And today Mr Tusk fumed: "In respecting our partners, we expect the same in return. Comparing the EU to the Soviet Union is as unwise as it is insulting.
"Unacceptable remarks that raise the temperature will achieve nothing except wasting more time. What needs to be done is maximum progress.
"Now the Tory party conference is over we should get down to business."
Senior eurosceptics leapt on the EU chief's remarks and warned Mrs May she will end up with no deal at all if she perseveres with Chequers.
Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman told The Sun: “This is the first time the EU has been so explicit about welcoming a Super Canada deal.
"They're not offering the ‘simple trade deal’ referred to and rejected in May’s speech - this is bigger, better, wider."
And ex-Brexit Minister Steve Baker said: "I am deeply encouraged that President Tusk wants a deal and is clear about the framework of that deal.
"This does once again reinforce that Eurosceptic Conservatives are campaigning for what the EU wants to give us..."
Leading eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "This is a good solution for everyone and the ERG's proposals for the Irish border mean it could work for the UK as a whole."
Brexiteer MP Bernard Jenkin added: "Hooray! Tusk and the ERG agree on Canada plus plus plus. The problem with Chequers is it asks too much of the EU, needs too many concessions or ‘cherries’.
"But the EU must concede that the Irish border issue is resolvable via checks away from the border, not via backstop which threatens to divide the UK."
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He went on: "This can be the basis of an excellent deal that gets through Westminster and the European Parliament and Council.
"It’s time to recognise Chequers is not going to work and will merely result in no deal."
And ex Ukip leader Nigel Farage implored: "Please Mrs May, bite his hand off."
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