Tusk accused of ‘patronising finger-wagging’ over May comments

EUROPEAN Council president Donald Tusk has been accused of patronising the Prime Minister after he warned her not to become “emotional” over Brexit talks.

On Wednesday Theresa May launched a blistering attack on the EU for trying to interfere in the election and “run us over” in Brexit talks.

Mr Tusk said that Brexit negotiations risk becoming “impossible” as he called for “discretion, moderation, mutual respect and a maximum of goodwill”.

His message also appeared aimed at Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, after a scathing account of a meeting he had with Mrs May was leaked to the German press.

Mr Tusk said: “These negotiations are difficult enough as they are. If we start arguing before they even begin, they will become impossible.

“The stakes are too high to emotions get out of hand. Because at stake are the daily lives and interests of millions of people on both sides of the Channel.”

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, said: “We could all do without the patronising finger-wagging of unelected politicians in Brussels.”

Andrew Bridgen, a Tory candidate, described the comments as “sexist, patronising and inaccurate”. It came as the European Union threatened to force clearing houses – one of the most lucrative financial sectors of the City – to relocate from London to Europe.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, said: “We should be careful of any proposals which might disrupt growth, raise the cost of investment in Europe and the UK or weaken financial stability.”

The European Commission’s chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas accused Mrs May of “excited” electioneering and suggested that the commission is too “busy” to concern itself with Mrs May’s comments.