Video
New EU commission president trolls Brexit Party by saying she will only miss Remainer MEPs
Ursula von der Leyen in the European parliament. Photograph: European parliament. - Credit: Archant
Ursula von der Leyen, the new president of the European Commission, has wound up the Brexit Party MEPs by saying she will only miss Remainers in the parliament when Brexit happens.
Von de Leyen paid tribute to those anti-Brexit campaigners who had fought in the election to return a result more favourable to Britain staying in the European Union.
She told the parliament: "If I look at our very brave Remain MEPs I can only say, I'm sorry, we will miss you."
"Thank you for your courage. Thank you for having been at our side."
To jeers from the Brexit Party, she continued: "We will never miss those who scream and yell."
You may also want to watch:
"And now, thanks God, without you, we are constructing our future partnership to the UK."
The politician said that the timetable for negotiations was "extremely challenging" but that the EU would try to "make the most" of the time.
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 2 Piers Morgan tells Gavin Williamson to resign for being a 'catastrophe'
- 3 Susanna Reid takes on Priti Patel over government's gaslighting of public on coronavirus
- 4 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 5 Bob Geldof takes swipe at No 10 saying 'lying is second nature' to them
- 6 Tory MP complains 'less scrutiny of trade deals' than when UK was in EU
- 7 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 8 Comedian wins praise after shaming No 10 during Dancing on Ice appearance
- 9 No 10 says Biden removing Churchill bust ‘up to president’ despite Obama attack
- 10 Who's on the BBC's Question Time tonight?
But she said that the UK would have the most to suffer from failing to reach agreement before Brexit happens.
"That will clearly harm our interests but it will clearly impact more the UK," she said.
But she added: "But at the very end I hope for the sake of the European people and the British people that we will have an unprecedented partnership".
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
