The Daily Telegraph

It’s still not too late to change your mind, Germany tells UK

- By Kate Mccann SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPOND­ENT

‘We take the decision as a matter of respect. But if they wanted to change their decision, of course they would find open doors’

BRITAIN would be welcomed back into the European Union if ministers reversed the decision to leave, according to the German finance minister.

Wolfgang Schauble said Britain could rejoin if it chose not to go ahead with Brexit, although he admitted it is unlikely to happen following the nation’s vote to leave last year.

His remarks, just days before Brexit talks are due to begin, appeared to be a deliberate jibe at Theresa May after she lost her Commons majority having asked the country for a stronger mandate for a hard Brexit.

Mr Schauble claimed Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, had agreed that the aim for talks should be to “minimize the potential damage and maximize the mutual benefit”.

Mr Hammond, seen as the most Europhile member of the Cabinet, is said to favour a “jobs first” Brexit, putting him at odds with Mrs May’s stated intention of putting a reduction in migration centre stage.

Guy Verhofstad­t, the EU’S lead Brexit negotiator, said Brussels is “impatientl­y waiting” for Mrs May to decide her position on any exit and to begin talks with other leaders of the 27 member states.

In a series of highly critical tweets Mr Verhofstad­t, who has been a fierce critic of the UK’S decision to leave the union, said the Prime Minister must get a handle on her Government and start negotiatio­ns as soon as possible.

He said: “We are impatientl­y waiting for the negotiatin­g position of the UK government. The current uncertaint­y cannot continue.”

Mr Verhofstad­t added: “Brexit isn’t just about the Tories leaving the EU, it’s about the whole UK. Everyone’s voice should be heard.”

He said that the “Good Friday Agreement must be a priority in Brexit talks” as an alliance between the Northern Irish DUP and the British Government took shape.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Mr Schauble said “it’s up to the British Government to take their own decisions” as he suggested that EU leaders would give ministers “some days” to decide how to proceed with talks.

He added that it “would not be helpful” to speculate on whether the UK will reverse its decisiont, but added: “The Government has said we will stay with the Brexit. We take the decision as a matter of respect. But if they wanted to change their decision, of course they would find open doors.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman replied: “The British people voted to leave the EU and we will be delivering on that will.”

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