In a remark that provoked an outraged response in the British press, European Council President Donald Tusk lashed out at Brexiteers in Parliament (and all those who supported the ‘vote Leave’ campaign, saying he wonders what the “special place in hell” looks like for all those “who promoted Brexit” without “even the sketch of a plan” to see it through “safely”, according to RT.
Tusk uttered the remark during a press conference in Brussels alongside Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, where Tusk reiterated the EU’s position that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be reopened, and said that he hopes Theresa May, who is expected to travel to Brussels later this week, comes with “realistic” expectations.
Lamenting the fact that both May and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn were “pro-Brexit”, Tusk rued the fact that “there is no political force, and no effective leadership” for remain. He also reaffirmed the EU27’s commitment to the Irish backstop, saying the bloc wouldn’t “gamble with peace.”
The council president tweeted the remark, and also uttered it during the press conference.
I’ve been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted #Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) February 6, 2019
The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, says that he wonders “what the special place in hell looks like for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it safely…” pic.twitter.com/wTnXbh9yZV
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) February 6, 2019
As Varadkar anticipated, Tusk’s comment has roiled the British press and political establishment.
No. 10 Downing Street responded with exasperation to Tusk’s comments, declaring that “we can leave the EU in an orderly way, and with a deal that is in the best interests of the UK and the EU.”
“It’s a question for Donald Tusk as to whether he considers the use of that sort of language to be helpful – and I appreciate that was difficult this morning, because he didn’t take any questions.”
“We had a robust and lively referendum campaign in this country in what was the largest democratic exercise in our history. People voted to leave the European Union, and what everybody should be focused upon now is delivering the verdict of the British people, so we can leave the EU in an orderly way, and with a deal that is in the best interests of the UK and the EU.”
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom’s response was even more strident: She called Tusk’s response “disgraceful” and demanded he apologize for his “spiteful” and “completely unacceptable” remark. And she’s not the only one: The Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar joked to Tusk that he would have “terrible trouble” with the British press thanks to the remark.
“The man has no manners, I think it’s extremely regrettable, not at all helpful”@AndreaLeadsom on @eucopresident Donald Tusk’s “special place in hell #Brexit comment#PoliticsLive https://t.co/wHqpeLbwkc pic.twitter.com/2xWvJn3dPw
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) February 6, 2019
And BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg noted that Tusk didn’t exactly evoke “the spirit of compromise”
Tusk’s message astonishingly strong – not exactly evoking spirit of compromise which is what he called for moments before while talking about protecting peace – not anything to do with actually getting a deal done either but will get massive reactions
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 6, 2019
Lastly though while it might get lost in rhetoric, Tusk was also clearly opened door to May coming with a new idea tmrw and the EU would move if it’s ‘workable guarantee’ https://t.co/0iUyKqQo85
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 6, 2019
Question is if it’s smart diplomacy at a time when PM needs to try to keep temperature down with Brexiteers – including those in Cabinet who were part of Leave campaign https://t.co/kz2JUF6gSb
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 6, 2019
In what was perhaps the most strident response, members of the DUP derided Tusk as a “devilish euromaniac” (yes, you read that right).
My response to the devilish, trident wielding, euro maniac, Donald Tusk ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wguBeW6mn9
— Sammy Wilson MP (@eastantrimmp) February 6, 2019
And in what was probably the best response to Tusk…one British radio host pointed out that whereever Brexiteers end up, it will probably be nicer than the area of Hell reserved for Brussels bureaucrats.
It’s probably nicer than the special place in Hell reserved for overpaid Brussels bureaucrats who think voters shouldn’t get to decide how their own country is run, Donald @eucopresident https://t.co/8Jk1DSqqiG
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) February 6, 2019
The pound has been sliding on the news, as the odds of May reaching a workable compromise with the EU continue to appear incredibly slim (that is, until the very last minute, when either Parliament, or the EU, can be expected to cave).
via ZeroHedge News http://bit.ly/2GbFb29 Tyler Durden