Brussels is trying to swindle the UK, warns Italian deputy PM

THE UK risks being ‘swindled’ by the EU unless it takes a tough line on Brexit, Italy’s deputy prime minister has warned.

Right-wing populist Matteo Salvini said Theresa May should be prepared to walk away without a deal because ‘on some principles there is no need to be flexible and you should not go backwards’.

Mr Salvini, leader of hardline anti-immigrant party the League, said there was ‘no objectivity or good faith from the European side’, adding: ‘My experience in the European parliament tells me you either impose yourself or they swindle you.’ His intervention came after Mrs May and senior ministers embarked on a series of visits to EU27 countries in an attempt to get backing for her Brexit plan.

The plan was dealt a blow by Brussels on Thursday when its chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, rejected the customs proposals that form a key plank of her White Paper.

But Mr Salvini said Italy would be the UK’s friend in the negotiations with Brussels and ‘definitely’ wanted Britain to walk away with a good deal. ‘I hope the negotiations end well for the UK to serve as an example of the people coming out on top of the EU,’ he told the Sunday Times.

‘I remember the referendum stage as an example of participation and freedom. I hope it can be an opportunity for the British.’

Earlier this month Mrs May revealed that Donald Trump had advised her to sue the EU rather than negotiate over Brexit.

Sources said the US President had told her to ignore the formal Article 50 process for leaving, refuse to pay any divorce bill and challenge the EU to take legal action.