UK BITES BACK: Theresa May orders EU to ditch 'soundbites and anonymous briefings'

THERESA MAY took a hard stance against the European Union telling its officials to stop speaking by “soundbites and negative anonymous briefings” and keep the negotiation talks “constructive” to deliver a good Brexit deal.

By Alice Scarsi, World News Reporter

Theresa May: We are determined to deliver a good Brexit

The prime minister has engaged in a war of words with the bloc after the latest attack coming from EU officials.

Following another round of inconclusive talks in Brussels, Mrs May has urged the bloc to adopt a more positive attitude if they want to reach a deal.

The PM’s official spokesman insisted it is “imperative that we keep these talks constructive”.

He added: “That means focusing on holding constructive talks inside the negotiating room. 

We also need to be constructive outside of the room – which means looking beyond soundbites and negative anonymous briefings

Theresa May's spokesman

“We also need to be constructive outside of the room – which means looking beyond soundbites and negative anonymous briefings.”

The blistering warning come after last week’s three-day round of talks, where an anonymous EU official said the UK is "chasing a fantasy” and needs to “accept the consequences of its own decisions”.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also weighed in, saying over the weekend the UK is playing “hide and seek” over its position on a future trade relationship.

Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, who previously urged British negotiators to not be afraid of take a hard stand against the EU, appreciated Mrs May’s fierce message. 

brexit news theresa may EU negotiations jacob rees mogg irish border talks

Brexit news: Theresa May urged EU officials to stop speaking by 'soundbites and anonymous briefings' (Image: GETTY)

He said: “Some faint-hearted, timorous souls, who mainly backed Remain, feel that reiterating ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ and that we could walk away while keeping our money may upset our negotiating partners.

“It is about time they were upset, and we put some pressure back on them.

“Managing decline and being fearful of shadows will not provide the best Brexit result and in the end the matter is simple.

“They need our money, especially between March 2019 and December 2020, and we would like a trade deal. 

brexit news theresa may EU negotiations jacob rees mogg irish border talks

Brexit news: Theresa May asked the EU to keep the negotiation talks 'constructive' (Image: GETTY)

“These two are umbilically linked and no one in their right mind would want to pay £39billion for nothing.”

The next important meeting in the EU-UK agenda is the EU summit, taking place on June 28-29.

UK negotiators hope to be able to settle the Irish problem, finding a solution that will avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland following the UK's exit from the bloc and its single market.  

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