David Davis accuses European Commission of trying to ‘bully’ UK as row continues with EU

David Davis - Image credit: PA Images

Brexit secretary David Davis has accused the European Commission of trying to “bully” the UK as relations with the EU continue to fracture ahead of the crunch Brexit negotiations.

Davis said a “line was crossed” with reports that the UK could be facing a €100bn divorce bill from Brussels, despite an initial estimate of around €60bn.

He also claimed there had been a “deliberately misleading briefing” from the Commission last week following Jean-Claude Juncker’s now infamous dinner with Theresa May at Downing Street.

The morning after the rendezvous the European Commission president reportedly called Angela Merkel to claim the Prime Minister was "on another galaxy" with her approach to Brexit.

On Wednesday Theresa May made the incendiary suggestion that the EU was trying to influence the outcome of the general election.

Speaking on BBC’s Question Time, Davis said: "Clearly what was happening was the Commission was trying to bully the British people – and the British people will not be bullied, and the government will not allow them to be bullied.

"So she made the point she made, and she was right to do so."

In her speech outside No 10, the Prime Minister said: "Britain’s negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press.

“The European Commission’s negotiating stance has hardened. Threats against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials.

"All of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general election that will take place on 8 June."

European Council President Donald Tusk yesterday urged Theresa May not to let “emotions get out of hand”, arguing the Brexit talks “will become impossible” without a cooling of tensions.