EU chief ignores Theresa May’s pledge that there was no going back on Brexit and said he would be the ‘happiest one’ if Britain stayed in the bloc after all
Donald Tusk’s comments come after the PM was side-lined at her first European Council summit in Brussels
THE EUROPEAN Council chief ignored Theresa May’s cast-iron pledge that there was no going back on Brexit and said he would be the “happiest one” if Britain stayed after all.
Donald Tusk’s comments came after the Prime Minister was side-lined at her first European Council summit in Brussels, reportedly only getting up to speak about eh UK’s position at 1am and only for five minutes.
At a dinner with her fellow EU leaders, Mrs May told her counterparts directly Britain would definitely be leaving, after suggestions in Europe the historic referendum result could be revisited.
But she also said her country was not to be left out during the period while it negotiates to leave, saying the UK wants to remain an active member of the group.
Mr Tusk completely contradicted her though when he spoke to reporters at the end of the working dinner in Brussels, calling on the UK to reverse its decision to quit and stuck with the bloc for years to come.
At the press conference in the early-hours of this morning he said: "It's not our choice and if you ask me I would prefer 28 members not only for the next month, but also for the next years and decades.
"After the decision in the UK we have to respect the decision of the referendum.
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“If it is reversible or not, this is in the British hands.
"I would be the happiest one if it reversible but we now we have to start our formal works."
Overall Mrs May was given a tough time at the European Council meeting, having been told Britain would not be given an easy ride as it severs ties with Brussels.
She tried to mount a charm offensive for a deal that works for Britain as well as the EU.
But she was met by a barrage of hostility as soon as she arrived in Brussels by leaders angry at her plea for immigration controls as well keeping free trade links.
France’s President Hollande warned: “If Theresa May wants a hard Brexit, then negotiations will be hard”.
German leader Angela Merkel closed down any informal discussion after Mrs May’s short speech, saying beforehand that “Brexit is on the agenda, but very briefly”.
And the European Parliament’s firebrand Socialist president Martin Schulz even threatened to veto any deal that meets Mrs May’s dual demand.
German MEP Mr Schulz warned: “I refuse to imagine a Europe where lorries and hedge funds are free to cross borders but citizens are not”.
Downing Street insisted the EU leaders’ hard language was just talk, and Mrs May will not be put off by it.
A No10 source said: "It's a negotiation. There are lots of things being said. It hasn't started yet.
"It doesn't change our approach. She wants to be constructive and set out her approach for a smooth and orderly process for our departure, for both Britain and the EU.”
The council meeting continues today, when leaders will discuss trade rules, including anti-dumping measures.
The PM will then hold talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, which No 10 sources said would be an "opportunity to establish a relationship" and talk about "how we see the process ahead".