Yahoo News EU negotiator says Brexit is 'a Tory catfight that got out of hand' and predicts next generation will return to bloc - as MEPs approve 'red lines'
Britain's decision to leave the EU was the result of a "catfight in the Conservative party that got out of hand", a senior Brexit negotiator has claimed, as he predicted the next generation of Britons would take us back into the bloc.
"There will be a young man or woman who will try again, who will lead Britain again into the European family once again, and a young generation that will see Brexit for what it really is," Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the EU parliament's Liberal Alliance group, said.
He went on to claim that Brexit was caused by a "catfight in the Conservative party that got out of hand - a loss of time, a waste of energy and a stupidity."
It came as the EU parliament in Strasbourg voted overwhelmingly in favour of the "red lines" on Brexit negotiations as set out by senior Brussels chiefs.
The resolution demands that EU and UK citizens receive "reciprocal treatment," that the final deal should not be a "trade-off" between trade and security, and that the UK pay the costs linked to its withdrawal. It also says that the European Banking Authority and European Medicines Agency should be moved out of London to an EU member state.
The resolution was passed with 516 votes to 133, with 50 abstentions, putting it well beyond the two-thirds majority needed for the bloc to show a united front.
MEPs get a final say on the terms of any deal brokered between the UK and Brussels. In a debate before the vote, Nigel Farage accused EU leaders of behaving like the "mafia" as they were holding Britain "hostage" with their £50bn divorce bill
"You have been vindictive and nasty. You're behaving like the mafia, like we're a hostage," Mr Farage said, "we're not - we're free to go." "It's exactly what I expected - they [the EU] see that £52bn divorce bill as simply settling the balance...but they're holding us to ransom."
Jean Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, has previously suggested Britain should pay the bloc around £50bn in liabilities and other financial commitments.
But Mr Farage complained that "we will have put in £30bn net by the time we leave, and now you want another fifty... it just doesn't work."
When the former Ukip leader was reprimanded by the parliament's Italian president for the mafia jibe, he amended his comparison to "gangsters."
He later admitted in an interview outside the parliament that he was "not optimistic" about the Brexit talks.
Other senior MEPs showed few signs of backing down on their demands, with one parliamentary group leader warning that "cherry-picking will not happen" in the negotiations.
"A state outside the European Union will not have better conditions than a state inside the European Union," said Manfred Weber, the German leader of the centre-right European People's Party group.
Mr Verhofstadt refused to name a figure when asked about divorce talks at a post-debate press conference, insisting that "we don't start with the figure, we start with the principles."
"And if we can agree with the British government on the principles...then you apply the principles and you have a figure."
"We want to have a clear signal that the European Union is united," added Mr Weber. "London must understand that no splitting up of the EU position is possible."
Verhofstadt asked to clarify divorce bill
Guy Verhofstadt is asked what the exit bill will amount to at the same press conference.
"We don't start with the figure, we start with the principles. And if we can agree with the British government on the principles...then you apply the principles and you have a figure.
It's worth pointing out that Mr Verhofstadt is just leading EU parliament talks about Brexit - he won't have any direct contact with the British government.
EU parliament president - Brexit process must be transparent
"The message is clear - the interests of our citizens in Europe and the UK is a priority," said EU parliament president Antonio Tajani said at a press conference after the vote.
He sad a process conducted in "full transparency" was an "absolute requirement" for EU-UK partnership.
EU parliament overwhelmingly backs Brexit 'red lines'
The vote's in - and as widely expected, the vast majority of MEPs have voted in favour of the exit process as outlined by senior EU leaders.
Brexit | The European Union’s core negotiation principles
Debate's over, time to vote
MEPs will now vote on whether to adopt Michel Barnier and Jean Claude Juncker's proposals for the EU Brexit process - namely that both sides will agree on the terms of exit first and other specific areas such as trade deals later.
There are other aspects of the terms that are unlikely to sit well with Theresa May. One source of contention is the demand that Britain respects its pledges to the EU’s 2014-2020 budget.
Senior MEPs deliver closing remarks
The leaders of the EU parliament's various groups are now in their closing remarks.
Liberal Alliance leader Guy Verhofstadt ends by saying he hopes for a "strong vote" in favour of a process where the terms of Brexit are agreed on first, with trade deals tackled later.
Other parliamentary group leaders have called for UK-EU co-operation on security to remain a priority.
Divorce bill figure 'just doesn't work'
Nigel Farage is back, and is angrily asking why the Spanish were given a "veto" on Gibraltar considering that Spain is known for being hostile towards the views of those who live on the rock.
He also laid into, once again, the proposal that Britain offers a payout of up to £50bn when it leaves the EU.
"We will have put £30bn net by the time we leave and now you want another fifty - it just doesn't work," he says.
He adds that if the EU "gave on the money and you gave on Gibraltar," then it could lead to the British government guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens in the UK, in return.
Nigel Farage shows off his Union Jack socks
Before Mr Farage fired off his "mafia" jibe at MEPs he was pictured showing off these Union Jack-emblazoned socks, as well as posing rather gamely with a flag.
Polish MEP: We're leaping into the unknown
Janusz Lewandowski , a Polish MEP, says "we don't particularly need advice from our British colleagues" on how to handle the future of the EU considering the Brexit vote forced them all to "leap into the unknown."
Franck Proust, a French MEP, adds: "I wish Michel Barnier every success...today's resolution shows we're a democratic institution that agrees on red lines....and let's be blunt - the UK is leaving the single market and that will damage its economic strength. "
About that Brexit divorce bill...
The website Change Britain has set up a website that allows you to sign a petition and automatically send it to Michel Barnier, chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, the EU parliament's Brexit negotiator, EU commission president Jean Claude Juncker, and EU council leader Donald Tusk.
EMAIL the EU's negotiating team and tell them that we will not pay a #BrexitBill: https://t.co/PphlhRKbKxpic.twitter.com/JUVRpRrGhN
— Change Britain (@Change_Britain) April 4, 2017
Nigel Farage reacts to MEPs Brexit stance
"It's exactly what I expected - they see that £52bn divorce bill as simply settling the balance...but they're holding us to ransom."
Nigel Farage gives his first reaction on the EU Parliament session on Brexit in which he labelled the EU the "mafia". pic.twitter.com/S4OQgIXUaO
— LBC (@LBC) April 5, 2017
Farage - EU is the mafia
You can watch the moment Nigel Farage accused the EU of behaving like the mafia and holding Britain hostage here.
The EU are behaving like gangsters. They're treating Britain like a hostage when in fact we're now free. pic.twitter.com/K0CRjNbtqj
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) April 5, 2017
UK will be a 'third country' without benefits
The EU Commission has this short clip from earlier of Mr Juncker warning that Britain cannot hope to have the same perks as a member state.
A third country cannot have the same benefits as a member state. It is the time for reason over emotions. @JunckerEU#Article50#Brexitpic.twitter.com/kAge2ta15Z
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) April 5, 2017
Highlights from Guy Verhofstadt's speech
Here are some key points from the speech made earlier by the EU parliament's lead Brexit negotiator, which he has just posted in full on Twitter.
"A young generation...will see Brexit for what it really is: a catfight in the Conservative party that got out of hand, a loss of time, a waste of energy, stupidity.
"Perhaps it was always impossible to unite Great Britain with the continent."
"Let’s not forget: Britain entered the union as the ‘sick man of Europe’ and - thanks to the single market - came out of the other side."
This morning, I paid tribute to the UK's immense contribution to Europe and presented the way forward for us, the 27. Here's the full speech pic.twitter.com/GlyrXApZ5v
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) April 5, 2017
Paul Nuttall: What a load of posturing we have seen
"There will be immense damage to the economies of the EU...if you are doing what we call in the UK, cutting off your nose to spite your face," says the Ukip leader.
EU Parly "group" leaders are giving their take on the UK leaving the EU. They are not happy bunnies!
— Patrick O'Flynn (@oflynnmep) April 5, 2017
He goes on to say Gibraltar is British, that 92 per cent of its inhabitants feel that way, and that it should be given a "real voice" in Westminster as an overseas territory.
He adds he has been calling for this for "many, many years," apparently momentarily forgetting that he is in Strasbourg dealing with MEPs and not in Westminster.
His predecessor, Nigel Farage, spoke in the chamber earlier.
"Gibraltar is not part of negotiations," EU reminded
"Although we are leaving we want to forge a special relationship with our allies in Europe...we all need a good agreement, rather than a good fight," says Ashley Fox, a British MEP.
He says he is unhappy with the way Liberal Alliance leader Guy Verhofstadt has been sidelining certain areas of the Brexit process, and dragging in others that are unrelated.
"The sovereignty of Gibratar is not part of these negotiations. And, my group was disappointed that Mr Verhofstadt felt he could consult the draft [Brexit process] text with a few friends," he says.
Key issues | Gibraltar and Brexit
Furious Spanish MEP: Stop trying to make Gibraltar a tax haven
"The UK has got it wrong, they are leaving but telling us how to organise ourselves," fumes a Spanish MEP.
"They are wrong because they are stopping Scotland [from leaving the Union] and at the same time they want Gibraltar to be a tax haven."
"Europe is the greatest survivor of the 20th century, we will not surrender - it is the UK that has chosen the wrong path of history, though I say this with a profound sense of friendship.
"You are committing self harm, you are harming us, and I hope you will not be blinded by your arrogance."
Who is Michel Barnier?
Barnier criticises Theresa May's northern Ireland policy
"Now, on to borders - we have to find arrangements that don't upset the fragile balance [in northern Ireland]" says Mr Barnier.
"The letter from the UK government makes it clear they will push for parallel negotiations and this is a very risky approach.
"Two years is very short for finding an agreement, and building trust is a priority.
"The sooner we agree on the principles of an orderly withdrawal, the sooner we can agree on...free and fair trade agreements, and also in security and defence."
Chief Brexit negotiator: We want a good deal - for UK and for us
Next up is the big cheese of Brexit divorce proceedings, Michel Barnier.
He says the EU's priority is striking a mutually beneficial exit deal in the interests of UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK.
He insists that there is no suggestion the EU wants success at the cost of Britain.
"The no-deal scenario is not the scenario we are looking for," he says.
"Not success against the UK, but success with the United Kingdom.
Mr Barnier, a 65-year-old French Gaullist, is tasked with ensuring the exit process is as smooth and fair as possible.
Juncker praises anti-Brexit marchers
"All those who stood in our streets and marched for Europe, they remind me of the founding fathers of Europe and I say that with some emotion," continues Mr Juncker, referring to the anti-Brexit marches in London.
And that's it from the EU commission president for now.
'EU will be reborn'
Juncker rounds off the German segment of his speech by saying the EU will be reborn after the Brexit negotiations.
He's moved on to French now. Bear with us.
Juncker: Our 'divorce lawyers' are combing through Britain's 'achievements'
"The livelihoods of millions of people with links to the United Kingdom are at stake," continues Mr Juncker as he switches to German.
"Students, workers should not be the ones who pay the price for Brexit," he says to thunderous applause, "people are not bargaining chips.
"We want to make sure Brexit will not throw people into uncertainty, and this includes people who depend on European projects that have already been planned."
"Commitments that have already been entered into should be respected," adds Mr Juncker - a reference to the fact that EU funds pledged by Britain are likely to form a sizeable chunk of the divorce bill he wants the UK to pay.
"I say this to Mr Farage, it is the UK that is leaving the EU [and not vice versa].
"Our divorce lawyers will now be looking into the details as we divide up our achievements of the past years."
Juncker speaks
Now over to Jean Claude Juncker, the EU commission president.
"You must scrutinise the final agreement," he says, insisting that MEPs will get the final say on the Brexit say.
MEPs are voting on whether to back Juncker's call for divorce proceedings to be agreed first, then trade deals later.
If you've been with us for a while, you will have seen Nigel Farage lash out at the EU for trying to stop Britain from pursuing its own trade deals right away.
Mr Juncker adds that "sometimes, but not very often, I am taking the wrong decisions."
"But one of the best I have taken was the appointment of Michel Barnier, our chief negotiator."
Recap: Does EU want to punish us?
Rather a lot of MEPs - on both sides of the divide - are suggesting this morning that it does. This is not the official position of senior EU leaders. However, EU commission president Jean Claude Juncker has warned in the past that we won't get a 'cut price Brexit.'
'We spent more than we got out of EU'
Mr Farage is followed by former Ukip leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe.
"We spend billions more on the EU each day than we receive," he complains.
"We are leaving an EU that has forgotten the sacrifices that Britain gladly gave."
"You're behaving like the mafia, like we're a hostage. We're not - we're free to go."
Rather a punchy line from Mr Farage there, who is immediately reprimanded by the chair for comparing the EU to a criminal group.
"I know there are cultural sensitivites, but we have been given a ransom note," Mr Farage replies.
"We don't have to buy German cars, drink French wine, eat Belgian chocolate, there are a lot of people out there who will give that to us," he adds.
Nigel Farage takes the floor
"Last Wednesday was a great historic day," begins the former Ukip leader, with cheers from some corners as he takes the floor.
"The response to Article 50 has been all too predictable, you have made demands that are impossible to comply with.
He says the £52bn Brexit divorce sum was "plucked out of the air," and says the EU should be "making us an offer we can't refuse - to go."
He says Donald Tusk, the EU council president, is probably not at the debate today because he is "still crying."
British government accused of grandstanding over Gibraltar
Theresa May, who is not at the assembly, is now being told by one slightly red-faced MEP that her country "chose the hardest possible Brexit" thanks to government "grandstanding" such as trying to "start a war with Spain."
"Mrs May you have dug yourself a hole of contradictions...how can you have a hard Brexit without a hard border with Northern Ireland.
"How can you reconcile your hard Brexit without your unstated desire for a united UK?" he adds.
"When you say you want a stronger, fairer Britain is a goal many share in this chamber, to face the Trumps and Putins in this world...who can seriously believe when EU citizens represent two per cent of the land that any of our member states are better equipped to face this challenge on our own.
"Mrs May, like it nor, we are in this together."
Brexit 'did not happen by accident'
"Brexit has to be about our capacity to give rebirth to our European project because Brexit did not happen by accident. It was a change in the mood and the public...Europe is not yet rescued. It is still in need of radical change."
He urges MEPs to never forget "why our founding fathers launched this Brexit project," which was, he says, was created to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Mr Verhofstadt also offers a slightly cynical view of how the Tories are going to tackle negotiations from their end "it's going to be a catfight," he says.
Guy Verhofstadt: EU-UK relationship was never a love affair
Guy Verhofstadt now has the floor, and starts by pointing out that relations between the UK and the EU have never been particularly cordial.
He says we must recognise that the EU-UK relationship was a "marriage of convenience," not a love affair, and that there was "conflict from the beginning,"
"In 1955, st the start f the common market, Britain walked away from the table. And in the early years it was the British Prime Minister MacMillian who looked at the EU with suspicion, asking 'What are they doing in Brussels?"
Strange to report that Guy Verhofstadt has made by far the most thoughtful speech so far in Europarl Brexit debate.
— Patrick O'Flynn (@oflynnmep) April 5, 2017
Negotiators warned - play fair
Next up is Helga Stevens, a representative of the Euroepean Conservatives and Reformists.
She warns that history will judge the EU as being "small and petty" if it treats Britain unfairly during the negotiations.
She adds that some senior negotiators, such as Guy Verhofstadt of the Liberal Alliance, have tried to shut out conservative voices from the debate on the Brexit process.
"I hope the EU will emerge from Brexit renewed and prevent the exit of other states...we need to rebuild faith among member states and win back the confidence lost from our citizens."
Tories under fire for not having 'faintest idea' how to trigger Article 50
MEPs are not pulling any punches this morning.
"The Conservative government wanted the referendum and after the vote they did not have the faintest idea of how to start divorce proceedings," says one furious Italian MEP as the debate is opened.
"What did they want to take back control of?"
He accuses the government of causing "chaos" in the UK by spreading "lies."
