MEP claims PM ‘lacks basic human skills’

Prime Minister Theresa May has been accused of lacking the “basic human skills” needed to lead, a prominent MEP has said.

Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts, a member of the European Parliament’s Brexit steering committee, said Mrs May had been unable to establish “bonds of trust” with other European leaders.

Speaking at a briefing in Brussels, he warned she could adopt a “scorched earth policy” if Parliament voted for an alternative to her Brexit plan which she did not support.

He said: “There is a danger there because if there is one lesson we have learned from Theresa May’s attitude is her inability to factor in what others think, her inability to forge bonds of trust within her Cabinet, between her Cabinet and the House of Commons, but also in the European Council.”

Mr Lamberts said at last week’s Brussels summit, Mrs May had upset the Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel, who he claimed was “Mr Nice Guy by definition”.

He added: “She must be devoid of the basic human skills to be a political leader and that is scary.”