Euro chief’s last-ditch bid to stop Brexit
BRUSSELS’ chief eurocrat is set to launch a desperate lastminute bid to stop Britain leaving the European Union.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to go back on his promise to stay out of the campaign after a surge in support for Brexit sent panic across the continent, and is considering intervening next week – just days before the country goes to the polls.
Mr Juncker yesterday held a meeting with former prime minister Gordon Brown, fuelling speculation he could make an offer to voters. Ahead of the Scottish referendum, after a swing towards independence, Mr Brown was an instrumental figure behind the ‘vow’ of extra devolution powers offered by Westminster.
However, it is unclear what Mr Juncker could offer as any concessions to Britain’s EU membership would carry little weight without prior agreement by all member states.
According to German current affairs magazine Der Spiegel, David Cameron had asked Mr Juncker to ‘keep out of the debate’ because of the ‘miserable reputation in Britain’ of Brussels officials.
A spokesman for Mr Juncker yesterday refused to comment.