'Desperate to TRAP us' - EU’s proposed Brexit £50bn bill slammed
Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s chief negotiator, threatened Theresa May with the hefty bill, for Britain’s outstanding liabilities, if she continues to guide the country out of the EU. The European Parliament’s top Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, went one step further and suggested the bill could be as high as £500billion, adding it was a “reality” that Britain will have to face. The Prime Minister was urged to forget the demands of her European colleagues and refuse to pay any figure presented to her by the bloc’s leaders. Elizabeth Jones, a member of Ukip’s National Executive Committee, insisted that Mr Barnier’s apparent call for Britain to continue to fund projects the EU was committed to while it was still a member, is “rubbish”.
EXPRESS•GETTY EU bosses were savaged for their ridiculous proposed Brexit settlement bill
It is absolutely rubbish… How is he going to get the money out of us? Elizabeth Jones
Speaking to Express.co.uk, the divorce lawyer said: “Guy Verhofstadt is putting in a high bid, isn’t he? “They are desperate to keep us trapped and desperate to keep us frightened of leaving. “I think it is absolute rubbish… How is he going to get the money out of us?” Commenting on Britain’s legal requirement to adhere to such divorce terms, Ms Jones added: “I am a divorce lawyer and this is one of the problems we come across. “We get these very large awards. There’s a very famous case called ‘Young and Young’, she was award £25million, as far as I am aware to date, she has not had one penny.
“So, it’s like a divorce. He’s a very bitter ex-spouse saying, ‘I want my money, and I’m going to get it out of you!’ “Well, swing for it, sing for it – you are not going to get it!” Brussels will desperate for Mrs May to commit to a large divorce settlement, with leaders wanting to plug a huge funding black hole left by Britain. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been pressured by her country to raise concerns about increased German payments to the EU, while out-of-touch politicians claim there are “no concrete worries” about the bloc’s budget.
What Theresa May's 12-point Brexit plan really means Mon, January 16, 2017 It's finally here. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 7 Continued cooperation with the EU to tackle terrorism and international crime.