Brexit news: Günter Verheugen said the EU is the problem (Image: GETTY )
Günter Verheugen, former EU expansion commissioner, said the bloc has “taught us a lesson in how not to deal with a member state that wants to leave”, as he insisted the “problem” was on the EU side. He compared the UK’s decision to unshackling itself from the EU to “losing the weight of 20 member states” as he blamed Brussels chiefs for making the mistake of not negotiating future relations at the same time as the exit and both sides should start anew.
Mr Verheugen told Anne Will on Germany’s TV channel ARD: “Brussels has taught us a lesson in how not to deal with a member state that wants to leave.
“The problem is not on the British side. The problem is on the EU side.”
The ex-commissioner said it was important for Brussels not to force London in to an
