Theresa May 'agreed part of Brexit speech wording with Brussels'
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A key part of Theresa May’s Brexit speech in Florence last week was agreed with the EU commission beforehand, it has been reported.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister’s specific pledge on paying the Brexit divorce bill came from discussions with EU officials.
In the speech last Friday, Mrs May said she would “honour commitments” on the UK’s financial obligations – a phrase reportedly dictated by Brussels.
A senior EU official said: “The Commission pretty much dictated the section on the financial settlement. The wording was exactly as the Commission wanted in order to convince member states the UK was serious about breaking the deadlock.”
The revelation follows President of the European Council, Donald Tusk’s claim that the UK had given up on its “philosophy of having cake and eating it,” in the Brexit negotiations.
Speaking outside Downing Street after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Tusk also warned that “sufficient progress” had still not been made to move talks forward.
