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| Prime Minister David Cameron with president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy outside 10 Downing Street |
The European Union “will survive” if Britain leaves after an in-out referendum but would be “dead” if France voted for exit, Herman Van Rompuy has said.
The outgoing president of the European Council criticised the UK and indicated that David Cameron will not be able to secure changes to freedom of movement rules.
He made his comments as it was disclosed that a black hole in the EU budget could leave British taxpayers paying an extra £34 billion over six years.
Mr Cameron will now be legally obliged to make up a share of a shortfall of £259 billion by 2020, with liabilities for the Treasury estimated at £33.7 billion.
The hole in EU spending has been identified by the European Court of Auditors and will come as a major blow to the Prime Minister just days before he is expected to make a major speech about Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Mr van Rompuy said in Paris that Brussels would not negotiate on the “fundamental principles” of the EU simply to convince Britain to remain a part of the bloc.
He said that a British exit would leave Europe “wounded” and that “everything should be done to avoid it”.
“Without the United Kingdom, Europe would be wounded, even amputated – therefore everything should be done to avoid it,” he said.
“But it will survive. Without France, Europe — the European idea – would be dead.” » | Peter Dominiczak and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Wednesday, November 26, 2014
