Documentary shows EU Brexit negotiators joking: 'We always wanted to make them into a colony'

A behind-the-scenes documentary on the Brexit negotiations shows two members of the EU team joking about how they have ‘finally turned Britain into a colony’.

Brexit: Behind Closed Doors followed EU Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt through negotiations and aired in two parts on Wednesday and Thursday

The documentary offers a series of revealing moments, including two members of the EU team joking at the end of the first programme, saying: “We got rid of them. We kicked them out. We finally turned them into a colony, and that was our plan from the first moment.”

Other moments include Mr Verhofstadt’s chief of staff Guillaume McLaughlin branding Theresa May “pathetic”.

When it appeared that any deal would have the kybosh put on it by DUP leader Arlene Foster because Mrs May hadn’t cleared elements with her, he said: “What the f*** is wrong with her? That’s insane. ‘I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to her’. That’s ridiculous. Pathetic, pathetic.”

Another clip shows the team branding Conservative Brexiteer Andrew Rosindell a “f***”.

After meeting Mr Rosindell, a member of Verhofstadt’s staff said: “I’m most proud of you when you take on a Tory and win. He was a f*** yeah? I’m delighted.”

Verhofstadt responds: “And we are… we are causing the problem?! You’re leaving! There is no border, you’re creating a border!”

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The documentary has drawn criticism from some quarters who say it reveals a level of disdain by EU negotiators for Britain.

Critics include Mr Rosindell, who said it showed them as “negotiators of the worst possible faith”.