Brexit Minister filmed spouting ultra-Hard Brexit ‘nonsense’ and calling for the EU to be ‘torn down’

(Sean Gabb/Vimeo) - Credit: Archant

A new Brexit Minister called for the European Union to be ‘torn down’ in a speech to a right-wing think tank.

https://youtu.be/CjvE5GDxke0

Steve Baker told the Libertarian Alliance: ‘I think UKIP and the Better Off Out campaign lack ambition. I think the European Union needs to be wholly torn down.’ (03:37)

He added that the EU was an ‘obstacle’ to world peace and ‘incompatible’ with a free society.

laconf2010, Panel: Christie Davies, Steve Baker, Peter Mentzel from Sean Gabb on Vimeo.

The outburst, made in 2010, will raise serious questions about Theresa May’s judgement in appointing Baker and could prove embarrassing during negotiations.

One fellow Tory Leaver told The New European: ‘I want out of the EU – but to suggest it has been an obstacle to world peace is nonsense of the highest order.

‘What we should be trying to negotiate is a sensible Brexit that works for both parties. This kind of rhetoric will not go down well in Brussels and beyond.’

In the video, first published by The Independent, Baker adds: ‘If we wish to devolve power to the lowest possible level, make it accountable and move on into a free society, then it’s clearly incompatible. (04:24)

‘What I want is free trade and peace among all the nations of Europe as well as the world and in my view the European Union is an obstacle to that.’ (04:28)