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| Brexit: Francois Hollande demands UK pay heavy price for deciding to leave EU | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Francois Hollande has become the latest EU leader to demand that Britain must pay a heavy economic price for leaving the EU. | Francois Hollande has become the latest EU leader to demand that Britain must pay a heavy economic price for leaving the EU. |
| The French President – who called the likely “hard Brexit” the biggest crisis in the EU’s history – said its future depended on a determination to be tough in the talks to follow. | The French President – who called the likely “hard Brexit” the biggest crisis in the EU’s history – said its future depended on a determination to be tough in the talks to follow. |
| He said: “We need to remain strong. If not, we will threaten the very principles of the European Union. | He said: “We need to remain strong. If not, we will threaten the very principles of the European Union. |
| “That could lead to other countries or regions wanting to leave the EU to gain so-called benefits but without any inconvenience or rules” | “That could lead to other countries or regions wanting to leave the EU to gain so-called benefits but without any inconvenience or rules” |
| President Hollande added: “There must be a threat, there must be a risk, there must be a price. Otherwise we will be in a negotiation that cannot end well.” | President Hollande added: “There must be a threat, there must be a risk, there must be a price. Otherwise we will be in a negotiation that cannot end well.” |
| The comments echo those of Angela Merkel and lay bare rising opposition in EU capitals to Theresa May’s negotiating strategy, revealed at this week’s Conservative conference. | The comments echo those of Angela Merkel and lay bare rising opposition in EU capitals to Theresa May’s negotiating strategy, revealed at this week’s Conservative conference. |
| The Prime Minister said she wanted to “operate” within the EU's single market, yet end free movement of people and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. | The Prime Minister said she wanted to “operate” within the EU's single market, yet end free movement of people and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. |
| Meanwhile, Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, provoked an outcry across the continent with a plan for UK-based companies to list how many foreign workers they employ | Meanwhile, Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, provoked an outcry across the continent with a plan for UK-based companies to list how many foreign workers they employ |
| Mrs Merkel, the German chancellor, won thunderous applause from German business leaders yesterday when she pledged not to allow special concessions for Britain, if it threatened the single market. | Mrs Merkel, the German chancellor, won thunderous applause from German business leaders yesterday when she pledged not to allow special concessions for Britain, if it threatened the single market. |
| Hours later, President Hollande delivered the same message to guests at the 20th anniversary of a pro-EU think-tank founded by Jacques Delors, the former EU commission chief. | Hours later, President Hollande delivered the same message to guests at the 20th anniversary of a pro-EU think-tank founded by Jacques Delors, the former EU commission chief. |
| He recalled how Margaret Thatcher “wanted to stay in Europe, but she wanted a cheque in return,” adding: “Now, the UK wants to leave and pay nothing. It’s not possible.” | He recalled how Margaret Thatcher “wanted to stay in Europe, but she wanted a cheque in return,” adding: “Now, the UK wants to leave and pay nothing. It’s not possible.” |
| The comments are a rebuff to pro-Brexit Cabinet ministers, who have insisted that European exporters will force its leaders to give Britain a good deal on tariff-free access to the single market. | The comments are a rebuff to pro-Brexit Cabinet ministers, who have insisted that European exporters will force its leaders to give Britain a good deal on tariff-free access to the single market. |
| Some analysts suggested they helped trigger the pound’s nosedive on Asian markets overnight, to as low as $1.1841 at one point. | Some analysts suggested they helped trigger the pound’s nosedive on Asian markets overnight, to as low as $1.1841 at one point. |
| President Hollande is under pressure from a resurgent far-right National Front, which has also demanded a referendum on EU membership. | President Hollande is under pressure from a resurgent far-right National Front, which has also demanded a referendum on EU membership. |
| Italy's deputy foreign minister, told the Financial Times that Britain was starting to resemble the rise of nationalist parties in Hungary and Poland. | Italy's deputy foreign minister, told the Financial Times that Britain was starting to resemble the rise of nationalist parties in Hungary and Poland. |
| Mario Giro said it was “taking on those tones that we see in Eastern Europe”, adding: “This is not the UK that we have always known.” | Mario Giro said it was “taking on those tones that we see in Eastern Europe”, adding: “This is not the UK that we have always known.” |