Fury as Tusk says there is a 'special place in hell' for Brexiteers

Donald Tusk poured petrol on the Brexit negotiations today as he raged that there is a 'special place in hell' for those who fought to get the UK out of the EU. 

As the deadlock with Brussels deepened dramatically, the European council chief lashed out at Leave campaigners who had no idea how to sever ties 'safely'.  

Rubbing salt into the wound, Mr Tusk was then caught on mic chuckling at a press conference when Irish premier Leo Varadkar whispered to him that the British would 'give you terrible trouble' over the jibe.

Incandescent Brexiteers hit back at the 'inflammatory' intervention within moments as the negotiations threatened to go into a tailspin. 

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, who backed Brexit in the referendum, branded Mr Tusk 'spiteful' and demanded he apologise. 

The remarks were raised in the House by Tory MP Peter Bone, who branded them an 'insult' to the British people. DUP MP Sammy Wilson said Mr Tusk and his 'arrogant EU negotiators' had 'fanned the flames of fear in an attempt to try to overturn the result of the referendum'.

The PM's spokesman also swiped back at Mr Tusk, saying: 'I think it's a question for Donald Tusk as to why he considers the use of that language to be helpful.

'I appreciate that was difficult this morning as he did not take any questions.' 

Mr Tusk and Mr Varadkar met in Brussels today before Mrs May arrives tomorrow in a desperate hope of re-writing the divorce deal just 50 days before exit day.   

Mrs May has spent the day in Northern Ireland meeting all five main parties to find a way forward on the Irish border backstop. She missed PMQs for the talks, with Cabinet Office minister David Lidington deputising.

Alliance leader Naomi Long was the first to emerge, complaining that Mrs May had given no details of what she would ask for in Brussels.  

In London, work is continuing on 'alternative arrangements' that could allow an invisible border by using technology to track people and goods crossing the border. 

In a glimmer of hope, it was claimed today Angela Merkel is preparing a last minute intervention to pressure Dublin to accept a hi-tech solution to the Irish border if Britain can offer one. 





MailOnline