Brexit deal is ‘Mission Impossible’, says EU politician
Getting a good Brexit deal will be 'Mission Impossible' for Theresa May, a senior EU politician has warned.
Manfred Weber, who leads the largest political group in the European Parliament, said the 'damage' the UK will suffer would demonstrate why countries should stay in the bloc.
The German MEP delivered his thinly-veiled threat at a press conference in Strasbourg alongside the Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt.
Manfred Weber, who leads the largest political group in the European Parliament, said the UK would suffer 'a lot of damage'
It comes as tensions ramp up with just weeks to go before the PM triggers Article 50 and formally launches the process for leaving the EU.
'When I have a look at the content and the topics on the table, for me it is still Mission Impossible ahead of us but we can manage this,' Mr Weber said.
'This will create a lot of damage, especially for the Brits, for sure, nobody had the wish to do this but it is the reality.
'We have to start to recognise this. This will not be an easy task ahead of us, especially having in mind to defend the interests of the European Union.
'It will be a mirror, from my point of view, to show the people in the European Union that it is much more better to reform the European Union than to destroy the European Union.
'It will show what Europe is all about.
'None of the British politicians ever explained to people in Great Britain what is Europe, nobody. And with Brexit everybody will understand this, in a negative way.'
Mr Verhofstadt indicated that proposals for 'associate citizenship' for Britons were still under consideration.
He said: 'Within a few weeks we will come forward with a proposal for a resolution.'
He said the purpose of the resolution on Brexit would be to influence the negotiation strategy that will be decided by the heads of government in the European Council and handed to the official in charge of the talks, Michel Barnier.
Prime Minister Theresa May is due to trigger the formal Brexit process next month