Cameron Tells EU It May Live To Regret Jean-Claude Juncker Appointment

David Cameron talks to current European commission president,
José Manuel Barroso at the EU summit in Brussels

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister says 'railroading through' candidate for European commission will have grave impact on British public opinion

David Cameron has told EU leaders they may live to regret the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European commission, warning them of the grave consequences on public opinion in Britain.

The British prime minister, who told EU leaders that the appointment of Juncker marked a "sad moment", tweeted his frustrations from the summit in Brussels.

"I've told EU leaders they could live to regret the new process for choosing the Commission President. I'll always stand up for UK interests."

In some of the strongest remarks by a British prime minister at an EU summit, Cameron condemned a "backroom deal" to appoint Juncker, who was being "railroaded" through against the wishes of two EU member states; Britain and Hungary.

Cameron, who warned of "wafer thin" support for the EU in Britain, told EU leaders over lunch at their summit in Brussels: "[Jean-Claude Juncker] is the ultimate Brussels insider who has been at the table for the last two decades of decisions. If you want change is that the type of person you want for the future?"

The prime minister indicated that Juncker's appointment would increase support for a British exit from the EU. His warnings came as Ed Miliband said Cameron was facing "utter humiliation" over the issue. » | Nicholas Watt and Ian Traynor in Brussels | Friday, June 27, 2014