European Commission president Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker today appointed a former French foreign minister to lead Brussels’ negotiations over Brexit.
Michel Barnier said he was “honoured” to be appointed the EU’s chief negotiator, a role in which he will report directly to European Commission president Mr Juncker.
One British MEP described him as an "old-style Euro integrationist" determined to set up an EU superstate.
The 65-year-old is a former vice-president of the European Commission - the body of unelected officials who propose new EU laws - and a member of the European People’s Party, the largest grouping in the European Parliament.
Mr Barnier also served as the EU’s financial services chief between 2010 and 2014, during which time he was dubbed the ‘most dangerous man in Europe’ due to his power over the City of London.
During his term, a host of new financial laws were approved by the EU with Britain forced to challenge some in the bloc’s top court.
When he was appointed to the role, then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy hailed a victory over "Anglo-Saxon capitalism" and declared Britain "big losers" from the EU's decision to put Mr Barnier in charge of financial regulation.
Announcing Mr Barnier’s appointment to his new role, Mr Juncker said: “I am very glad that my friend Michel Barnier accepted this important and challenging task. I wanted an experienced politician for this difficult job.
“Michel is a skilled negotiator with rich experience in major policy areas relevant to the negotiations.
“He has an extensive network of contacts in the capitals of all EU member states and in the European Parliament, which I consider a valuable asset for this function.
Mr Barnier said he would begin work on October 1, when he will begin work for the upcoming Brexit talks with a team of EU officials.
Tory MEP and leading Brexit campaigner Daniel Hannan told Express.co.uk: "Michel Barnier is an old-style Euro-integrationist. He wants the EU to be something like a single country.
"Well, good luck to him. Once Britain leaves, that will be a much more feasible outcome. We should aim to ensure that the process of Brexit is cordial and mutually beneficial."
One British MEP described him as an "old-style Euro integrationist" determined to set up an EU superstate.
The 65-year-old is a former vice-president of the European Commission - the body of unelected officials who propose new EU laws - and a member of the European People’s Party, the largest grouping in the European Parliament.
Mr Barnier also served as the EU’s financial services chief between 2010 and 2014, during which time he was dubbed the ‘most dangerous man in Europe’ due to his power over the City of London.
During his term, a host of new financial laws were approved by the EU with Britain forced to challenge some in the bloc’s top court.
When he was appointed to the role, then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy hailed a victory over "Anglo-Saxon capitalism" and declared Britain "big losers" from the EU's decision to put Mr Barnier in charge of financial regulation.
Announcing Mr Barnier’s appointment to his new role, Mr Juncker said: “I am very glad that my friend Michel Barnier accepted this important and challenging task. I wanted an experienced politician for this difficult job.
“Michel is a skilled negotiator with rich experience in major policy areas relevant to the negotiations.
“He has an extensive network of contacts in the capitals of all EU member states and in the European Parliament, which I consider a valuable asset for this function.
Mr Barnier said he would begin work on October 1, when he will begin work for the upcoming Brexit talks with a team of EU officials.
Tory MEP and leading Brexit campaigner Daniel Hannan told Express.co.uk: "Michel Barnier is an old-style Euro-integrationist. He wants the EU to be something like a single country.
"Well, good luck to him. Once Britain leaves, that will be a much more feasible outcome. We should aim to ensure that the process of Brexit is cordial and mutually beneficial."
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