Theresa May: Plan to stop EU-funded groups BREAKING Brexit from within
GETTY Theresa May has been urged to make sure Brexit consultants must declare any EU funding
The demand comes amid growing concern about a “fifth column” in Britain of EU-funded organisations trying to destroy Brexit and British interests from within. Brussels has ploughed in billions of pounds - ironically provided by the British taxpayer - back into British institutions to buy their support against Brexit, it is claimed. According to research by the eurosceptic Bruges Group, inspired by Margaret Thatcher, the EU has successfully infiltrated British society.
Briefings available to MPs from the House of Commons library have confirmed that EU-funded organisations and individuals cannot be excluded from consultations which will have to take place over the massive amount of legislation required for Brexit and the deals with the EU. The problem previously emerged in the EU referendum when groups like the Institute for Fiscal Studies gave evidence against leaving the EU which it described as “independent” although it has received substantial sums of money from Brussels.
GETTY Brussels has ploughed in billions into British institutions to buy their support against Brexit
The Bruges Group has warned that almost no part of civic society in Britain is untainted.
Brussels is tasking many groups with the aim of undermining Brexit Robert Oulds
It says lawyers “are part of a chain of command that ultimately ends at the European Court of Justice”. Many UK judges are members of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary whose stated aim is to link EU law and support EU institutions. They includes Lord Justice Thomas who chaired the High Court hearing which first upheld campaigner Gina Miller’s challenge to Brexit which forced Mrs May to get parliamentary approval to trigger Brexit.
GETTY Gina Miller’s challenge to Brexit forced Mrs May to get parliamentary approval to trigger Brexit
The Ministry of Defence’s own Joint Services Command and Staff College is the UK arm of the European Security and Defence College and is tasked with promoting EU defence policy in the UK. The Bruges Group dossier further notes that some leading organisations in agriculture which speak out in favour of Brussels policies, and many universities, have also benefited from EU cash. In business, Brussels has funded the Confederation of British Industry, which the Bruges Groups describes as “single-minded” in its pro-EU stance. Bruges Group director Robert Oulds said: “The EU uses our taxes to fund organisations that must promote the EU in the UK. “Brussels is tasking many groups with the aim of undermining Brexit with yet more bogus scaremongering.
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“The EU has created a fifth column in the UK, trying to undermine our freedom. “The Government must look into these links and also ensure that responders to consultations declare any EU-related funding they receive.” Richard Tice, the co-chairman of Leave Means Leave said: “During the referendum the Remain campaign received high profile backing from organisations which had been in receipt of vast sums of EU money - and they did not have to disclose that they had a huge conflict of interest. “The suggestion that these organisations could now contribute to Government consultations on Brexit and not have to disclose that they are paid by the EU to act as its cheerleader is outrageous.
GETTY The demand comes amid growing concern about a 'fifth column' in Britain of EU-funded organisations