EU chief Juncker urges Remainers to find a 'way out' of Brexit as he admits he feels personally responsible for the looming 'catastrophe'

  • Jean-Claude Juncker has urged Remainers in the UK to find a 'way out' of Brexit
  • He made clear Britain could drop the Article 50 process or rejoin the bloc later
  • Eurocrats have sparked accusations of meddling by encouraging Remainers 
  • Jean-Claude Juncker today ramped up Brussels' bid to derail Brexit - urging Remainers to find a 'way out' of leaving the EU.
    The European Commission president said he would 'facilitate' the UK if there was a change in policy about cutting ties with the bloc.
    Admitting that he felt personally responsible for the looming 'catastrophe', he also vowed to keep making the point that Brexit could be reversed despite admitting it was causing 'irritation' inLondon
    The comments, in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning, are the latest stage in a concerted effort by top Eurocrats to avert Britain's departure.
    Yesterday European Council president Donald Tusk told Britain there was still time for a 'change of heart', adding: 'Our hearts are still open to you'.
    The appeal follows debate in the UK about the possibility of a second referendum. 
    The prospect of halting Brexit was fuelled last week when Nigel Farage seemingly endorsed the prospect of another referendum - although he later backtracked. 
    Brexiteers condemned the idea of a rethink as 'absurd' and warned Brussels was trying to destabilise Theresa May ahead of crucial trade talks.
    Taking to his feet in the European parliament after Mr Juncker today, Mr Farage stormed: 'I fear that you are all working together with Tony Blair and Nick Clegg to make sure that we get the worst possible deal. 

    Speaking in Strasbourg today, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he would 'facilitate' the UK if there was a change in Brexit policy

    Speaking in Strasbourg today, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he would 'facilitate' the UK if there was a change in Brexit policy

    'I say that because I’ve seen it all before. The difference is, if you force the Brits to do it again, there will be a different outcome.'
    Senior Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg, newly appointed chair of the powerful European Research Group, told MailOnline: 'Mr Juncker does not seem to realise that the Remainers are a minority and that most people want to leave the EU as soon as possible.'  
    Last night, the PM used talks with Austrian president Sebastian Kurz to send a message to the EU that she had no intention of reopening the question.
    No10 said she told Mr Kurz, who is due to hold the rotating presidency of the EU, that 'the Government will respect the decision taken by the British public to leave the EU'.

    Taking to his feet in the European parliament after Mr Juncker today, Mr Farage stormed: 'I fear that you are all working together with Tony Blair and Nick Clegg to make sure that we get the worst possible deal.'
    Taking to his feet in the European parliament after Mr Juncker today, Mr Farage stormed: 'I fear that you are all working together with Tony Blair and Nick Clegg to make sure that we get the worst possible deal.'
    Downing Street also rejected suggestions that the free movement of people could stay until a possible transition period ends in 2021.
    Speaking in Strasbourg today, Mr Juncker suggested that the UK would be allowed to reverse the Article 50 process of leaving the EU.
    He also said that even after the formal departure date in March next year Britain would be allowed to rejoin. 
    'Our hand remains outstretched. The UK people, the UK government, may wish to find a different way out,' Mr Juncker said. 
    'We're very much willing to deal with them. We are not throwing the British out. We would like the British to stay. And if they so wish, they should be allowed to do so.'
    He added: 'I did note that in London there was a rather irritated response to this proposal. 
    'But, note that even if the British leave according to article 50, then article 49 would allow them to accede again. 

    European Council president Donald Tusk made clear yesterday that he had not given up on reversing the historic referendum decision as he addressed MEPs in Strasbourg (pictured)
    European Council president Donald Tusk made clear yesterday that he had not given up on reversing the historic referendum decision as he addressed MEPs in Strasbourg (pictured)

    No10 said Theresa May told Austrian president Sebastia Kurz that 'the Government will respect the decision taken by the British public to leave the EU'. Mrs May is pictured leaving Downing Street for PMQs today
    No10 said Theresa May told Austrian president Sebastia Kurz that 'the Government will respect the decision taken by the British public to leave the EU'. Mrs May is pictured leaving Downing Street for PMQs today
    'And I would be happy to facilitate that. I would not want to push anyone into a corner.'
    Responding to a written question from an MEP about whether he felt personally responsible for Brexit, Mr Juncker said 'I still feel the exit of Britain is a catastrophe, yes, a defeat we all have to take responsibility for.
    'But the reasons for the British exit lie deeper. As Prime Minister May has said, the British never felt at ease in the EU and for 40 years they haven't been given the chance to feel more at ease. That is why the blame is on many.' 
    French president Emmanuel Macron also added his voice to the charm offensive.
    A spokesman for Mr Macron said: 'If tomorrow, or the day after, the United Kingdom decided to change its mind, it’s clear that we would look at this with kindness. But it’s not up to us if the United Kingdom wants to change its mind.' 
    During a debate at the European Parliament yesterday, senior figures lined up to berate Mrs May and the UK government over Brexit.
    German MEP Manfred Weber, a key ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the only 'real thing' the PM had managed to do over the past 18 months was announce British passports were turning blue.
    And he said that was a 'scam' because there were no EU rules dictating the colour of identity documents.  

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