Jeremy Hunt has told leaders of the European Union to not “mistake British politeness for weakness” after the tense Salzburg summit that threatens to sink Theresa May’s Chequers proposal. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the foreign secretary followed May’s combative address on Friday, saying: “What Theresa May is saying is: don’t mistake British politeness for weakness. He called on EU leaders to get the tone right in the negotiations and avoid “insulting [May], insulting the British people on social media. Getting into these standoffs where you’re calling people liars and so on.”When asked if he was referring to Donald Tusk’s Instagram post, Hunt said yes. Her address prompted a sharp fall in the pound, increasing fears that a no-deal Brexit is now more likely.

Source: The Guardian September 22, 2018 09:27 UTC