Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BREXIT: All hell breaks loose
EU chief slams Brexit supporters for lacking a plan Leavers hit back at ‘provocative and arrogant’ speech
A SENIOR Democratic Unionist MP has branded Donald Tusk a “devilish, trident wielding, euro maniac”.
Sammy Wilson was responding to Mr Tusk’s suggestion there will be a “special place in hell” for those who promoted Brexit without any plan for how to safely deliver it.
The East Antrim MP accused the European Council president of showing “contempt” for voters.
He said: “This devilish euro maniac is doing his best to keep the United Kingdom bound by the chains of EU bureaucracy and control.
“It is Tusk and his arrogant EU negotiators who have fanned the flames of fear in an attempt to try and overturn the result of the referendum. All he will succeed in doing is stiffening the resistance of those who have exercised their choice to be clear of Tusk and his trident wielding cabal.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster accused Mr Tusk of being “deliberately provocative” and “disrespectful”.
She said: “Clearly the pressure is beginning to mount in Brussels.
“I think it was deliberately provocative I have to say, very disrespectful to those of us who voted to leave the European Union. He should reflect on what he had to say.
“As I said to the Prime Minister this morning, this is a time for cool heads, it is a time to have focus and it is a time to try and find solutions, not to be disrespectful to those of us who voted in a democratic way to leave the European Union.
“I hope when the Prime Minister does go out to Brussels she will be met with respect when she goes there.”
However, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald backed Mr Tusk’s use of language.
She added: “You are not going to convince me anything Donald Tusk says could further harden the position of the Boris Johnsons or the Rees-moggs of this world.
“They are people who have acted with absolute contempt for this country, utter disregard for the experiences of Irish people North and South, with utter disregard for the peace process that has been collectively built over decades.
“Their position is the most hardline of hardline, it is their language that is intemperate and it is their position that is untenable.”
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann accused both Mr Tusk and
I have been wondering what that special place in hell looks like DONALD TUSK ON WHERE BREXITEERS SHOULD GO
As I said to the Prime Minister, this is a time for cool heads ARLENE FOSTER STORMONT YESTERDAY
Mr Wilson of trading “harsh words”. He said: “Leo Varadkar and Donald Tusk may find Mr Tusk’s uncouth words amusing, but they are no laughing matter.
“They may feel they are flexing some EU muscle, but the increasingly arrogant and confrontational approach they have adopted could ultimately lead to disaster socially and economically. It’s time for cool heads instead of harsh words.” Mr Tusk’s comments came as he repeated the EU’S insistence the Withdrawal Agreement reached with Theresa May last year cannot be reopened to remove the backstop arrangement for the border.
He said that issue and the need to preserve the peace process remained the EU’S “top priority”, adding: “We will not gamble with peace or put a sell-by date on reconciliation. This is why we insist on the backstop.” In a message to Mrs May, he said: “Give us a deliverable guarantee for peace in Northern Ireland and the UK will leave the EU as a trusted friend.
“I strongly believe a common solution is possible and I will do everything in my power to find it.”
But he concluded: “By the way, I have been wondering what that special place in hell looks like for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan to carry it [out] safely.”
Asked whether the comments would contribute towards a positive atmosphere for the Prime Minister’s visit to Brussels today, Mrs May’s official spokesman told reporters: “I think it is a question for Donald Tusk as to whether he considers the use of that kind of language to be helpful.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the so-called Malthouse Compromise – which has brought MPS from the Remain and Brexit wings of the Conservative Party together behind a plan requiring the backstop to be ditched – remained hopeful their blueprint will be given serious consideration.