Defence chief takes aim at Barnier’s terror jibe

DEFENCE Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday hit back at the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator after he accused Britain of abandoning Europe in the fight against Islamic State.

Michel Barnier sparked a diplomatic firestorm when he claimed Britons ‘chose to be on their own’ in tackling terrorism when voting to leave the EU last year.

Mr Williamson said any suggestion the UK was not committed to European security was a ‘gross misrepresentation’ of the work of British troops. In an excoriating statement, he said: ‘Our Armed Forces have played a key role in keeping our country and Europe safe.

‘We remain completely committed to European security – to suggest any different is a gross misrepresentation of the great work of brave service men and women.’

Sources said he took particular ‘umbrage’ to suggestions the UK was not pulling its weight in the fight against terror.

The explosive comments came after former Chief Whip Mr Williamson, who was promoted to the job last month, pledged to fight on behalf of the Armed Forces.