Guy Verhofstadt brands Tory Brexiteer ‘insane’ for suggesting some Remainers should be tried for treason

David Campbell Bannerman suggested treason laws should be updated to cover 'extreme EU loyalty'

The European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator has rebuked a British MEP after he suggested that Remainers who side with the EU over the UK should be tried for treason.

Guy Verhofstadt said David Campbell Bannerman, a Tory, was trying to force his “narrow view” of national identity of the peoples of Europe and that the politician’s comments were “insane”.

Mr Campbell Bannerman was accused by one MP of “putting the knife into free speech” after demanding the revival of an archaic law to prosecute strong allegiance to the EU.

“It is about time we brought the Treason Act up to date and made it apply to those seeking to destroy or undermine the British state,” the Conservative MEP for the East of England tweeted.

“That means extreme jihadis. It also means those in future actively working undemocratically against UK through extreme EU loyalty.”

The extraordinary call was met with anger from Mr Verhofstadt, who represents the European Parliament in Brexit negotiations.

“These comments are insane. Winston Churchill would have been prosecuted under these proposals,” the liberal politician told The Independent.

These comments are insane. Winston Churchill would have been prosecuted under these proposals

Guy Verhofstadt, European Parliament Brexit coordinator

“Nationalists and populists are quick to try and force us to choose between our identities and persecute those who fail to comply with their narrow view, but we shall resist!

“Shared regional, national and European identities are what makes us so strong and united in our diversity.

“Churchill was right when he said: ‘We hope to see a Europe where men of every country will think of being a European as of belonging to their native land, and … wherever they go in this wide domain … will truly feel. Here I am at home.’”

The Conservative MEP was also condemned by Virendra Sharma, a Labour MP and supporter of the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain, who said: “This C-list Tory MEP is suggesting putting the knife into free speech.

“David Campbell Bannerman should think long and hard about his spiteful populist rhetoric. This type of extremism is the real danger facing this country.”

Stephen Doughty, a Labour backer of the People’s Vote campaign, called on Theresa May to disown “such campaigns of political bullying”.

He added: “If his aim is to intimidate those of us who support a People's Vote on a final Brexit deal into silence I can only tell him he will fail.”

The MEP – who was elected under the Ukip banner but defected to the Conservatives in 2011 – spoke out after a wider call to bring back the Treason Act 1351.

Amber Rudd, the former home secretary, joined forces with police and spy chiefs to argue it was needed to prosecute returning jihadists.

It follows the revelation that Sajid Javid, Ms Rudd’s successor, will allow two of the notorious “Beatles” Isis fighters to face the death penalty in the United States.

The Home Office has insisted UK anti-terror laws are not strong enough to prosecute London-born Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh in this country.