French President Emmanuel Macron has accused leading Brexiteers of lying to the British public by claiming that leaving the EU would make Britain richer.
Mr Macron took aim at Brexit campaigners after EU leaders approved Theresa Mays Brexit deal during a short meeting in Brussels on Sunday morning.
He pointed out the size of Britains divorce bill in the agreement, which MPs will vote on whether to accept next month.
Mr Macron said: Lots of people said it wouldnt cost anything, that it would earn money for the British, the cost which we talked about several months ago is massive. Massive. And its in this withdrawal agreement.
So once again those who told the British people they were going to save tens or hundreds of billions of euros, or of pounds, lied to them.
Advertisement
Advertisement
And the result is in the agreement today: all that comes at a cost. So Im not one of the people who thinks this is nothing.
Speaking from Brussels, the French leader added that Sunday marked an important step towards finalising Brexit, but that the process remains far from finished.
He said: Those who told the British people that it would be quick and easy lied because weve been negotiating for almost two years.
However, he also had stern words for the EU, saying that the bloc needed to learn lessons from Britains decision to abandon it – which he said showed that Europe is fragile.
Meanwhile, Mr Macron warned that the EU would force Britain to use the Irish backstop unless access to UK fishing waters is maintained.
He added: It is leverage because it is important as to our future relationship.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
