The European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness claimed the European Union shared none of the blame – an answer met with silence from the audience – for the Brexit impasse after being quizzed on Question Time. BBC presenter Fiona Bruce asked the European Union chief if the bloc could have done more as the Prime Minister has been forced to enter talks with Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to try to deliver Britain’s exit from the bloc. Bruce said: “One of the criticisms of Theresa May is that she triggered Article 50 too soon, but also that was something that came from the EU.

“The EU was not prepared to negotiate until Article 50 was triggered. That was made completely explicit.

“Obviously there is a lot of criticism of Theresa May and her Government, does the EU share any of the responsibility for the mess we are in now, because of that?”

Ms McGuinness replied: “Frankly, no.”

The host quickly interrupted: “Because if we hadn’t triggered Article 50, some might argue we might have been able to reach a consensus and then trigger Article 50.”

That would be disrespecting the treaty, and rules matter

Mairead McGuinness

Ms McGuinness said: “That would be disrespecting the treaty, and rules matter.

“Before we even get to Theresa May, David Cameron came to Europe before he had the referendum, he got concessions which he completely refused, if you like failed to communicate, and he went for a referendum that frankly I knew he couldn’t win, because I didn’t think he was convinced himself.

“The trouble for Europe is, why you are having this conversation, we are watching, and it’s not good for the European Union.

“We would love you to stay, we respect your decision to leave, but we would like to know how you are going to go, and when.

“It is profoundly sad what the UK is doing. I am an Irish Member of Parliament, we are neighbours, we are close.

“The Irish issue is obviously fundamental to the withdrawal agreement, I represent all of the counties along the invisible border. There is deep upset and hurt.

“I think that Britain is hurting, that’s how I read it. I think there is a need for strong politics and maybe brave politics as well that would say we are in such uncertainty, that is it a longer extension you need, and when is that going to be asked for, and how is that going to be delivered?”

Ms McGuinness added that the EU was at fault for “not taking on the Brexiteers in the European Parliament 10-years ago”. She added: “That we should have done”.

This week the Prime Minister has been meeting with the Labour Party leader after Theresa May reached out to Jeremy Corbyn to help try and get Britain’s exit from the EU over the line.

The move from the Prime Minister enraged a number of Conservative Party colleagues with some in the Tory party’s European Research Group calling for Mrs May to step down.

Discussions around a second Brexit vote have taken place, and Ministers have considered the possibility of giving MPs a vote on holding a referendum on a deal as part of the talks with Labour, the Daily Telegraph reported.

On Wednesday MPs also voted to seek a delay to Brexit rather than risk the UK crashing out of the bloc on April 12, which was passed by 313 votes to 312.

The Bill is currently being debated in the House of Lords and peers are scheduled to return to the Chamber on Monday before voting, where it is expected to be passed for Royal Assent.

On Friday Mrs May wrote a letter to EU President Donald Tusk asking for an extension until June 30. 

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