Boris Johnson is “a piece of work” who could have achieved a better Brexit deal if he had been more precise in the negotiations, former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said.
Welcoming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new agreement with the EU on post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland, Mr Juncker said it should pave the way for the “normalising” of relations between the UK and Brussels.
However, his comments may cause irritation in Downing Street after he suggested that it gave a greater role to European institutions than some in Britain had acknowledged.
“I think that the European Commission will have more authority than it seems — and as the European Court of Justice has been reconfirmed in its role as an arbiter when it comes to internal market questions concerning Northern Ireland,” he said in an interview with LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr.
“So, I think that although the deal is giving a response to the major British concerns, there is a part of European Union in the deal some in Britain are trying to hide.”
His statements came after Mr Johnson said he would find it “very difficult” to support the agreement finalised earlier this week in Windsor by Mr Sunak and the current commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
Mr Juncker said a similar deal would have been available to Mr Johnson but “he was not able to acknowledge that some details of the arrangement had to be more precise”.
He said that while he liked Mr Johnson personally, he had had better relations with all the other British prime ministers he had worked with.
What is the Windsor Framework? — video
“I like him as a person. He’s funny, but he’s serious nevertheless,” he said.
“I had better relations with all the prime ministers of Britain I’ve known, starting with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, even David Cameron, then mainly Theresa May, who was a lady.
“Boris Johnson was a piece of work, someone you cannot categorise, in normal definitions, but I liked him as a person.”
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
