The war of words over Brexit intensified last night as Theresa May accused European politicians and officials of issuing “deliberately timed” threats to influence the general election result.
Speaking outside Number 10 following an audience with the Queen to mark the dissolution of parliament, the prime minister accused “some in Brussels” of wanting the negotiations to fail.
She also said the UK’s negotiating position had been “misrepresented” in the continental press and that the European Commission’s negotiating stance had “hardened”.
But opponents were quick to condemn the “irresponsible, gratuitous attack”, accusing her of going “full Donald Trump”.
Mrs May’s statement came after Michel Barnier, the commission’s chief negotiator, set out its detailed negotiating guidelines for the first phase of withdrawal talks.
Amid reports it plans to hand the UK a divorce bill of 100billion euros (£84.5billion), he warned it was an “illusion” to think Brexit would be quick or painless.
The pair met for the first time at last week’s Downing Street dinner with Jean-Claude Juncker, following which the European Commission president reportedly said the prime minister was “in a different galaxy” over Brexit.
Mrs May hit back yesterday, saying: “Britain’s negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press.
“The European Commission’s negotiating stance has hardened. Threats against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials.
“All of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general election that will take place on June 8.”
She said in contrast her letter triggering Brexit had made clear Britain means “no harm to our friends and allies on the continent”.
She added: “The events of the last few days have shown that – whatever our wishes, and however reasonable the positions of Europe’s other leaders – there are some in Brussels who do not want these talks to succeed.
“Making Brexit a success is central to our national interest … if we do not get this right, the consequences will be serious.”
With Jeremy Corbyn negotiating, she added, the UK would “pay a high price”.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is an irresponsible, gratuitous attack on our European neighbours, which is aimed at diverting attention from the Tories’ dismal record.”
Scottish Labour’s Europe spokesman Lewis Macdonald added: “Theresa May has gone full Donald Trump with this bizarre intervention.
“Insulting Europe’s political leaders is unlikely to make them any more amenable to giving the UK a good deal.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said the prime minister had admitted she is “rolling the dice”.
