Brexit: Guy Verhofstadt says Conservatives and Labour have put politics ahead of country

European Parliament Brexit spokesman says in his Belgian homeland a majority committee would have been formed to break Brexit impasse

The European Parliament’s Brexit spokesman has said that both big British parties have put political interests ahead of the national good.

Guy Verhofstadt said that in his Belgian homeland a “majority” committee would have been formed to break the Brexit impasse.

It comes after Theresa May was criticised for not being prepared to compromise on her ‘red lines’ in recent cross-party talks, while Jeremy Corbyn came under attack for refusing to take part in the talks at all.

On Tuesday parliament will vote on whether to adopt any of the alternative approaches to Brexit that have been put forward by groups of cross-party MPs.

But it in an interview with L’Echo newspaper, Mr Verhofstadt said: “The question is whether an agreement can be settled between the two major parties, Labour and the Conservatives.

“Still, this situation is the result of British politics. Elsewhere, in Belgium for example, a joint majority opposition committee would have set itself up to make a decision in the country’s interest.

“At the moment, it seems that the interest of British parties is more important than that of their country. That said, last Monday, Theresa May partially opened the door, for the first time, during her speech to the British parliament. Jeremy Corbyn too.”

In a statement after winning her vote of confidence last week, Ms May said she would begin talks with leaders in both politics and wider society in a bid to find a Brexit compromise.

But she was criticised for going into the talks maintaining the principles with which she entered the broader Brexit negotiations, including staying out of a customs union and scrapping freedom of movement.

Mr Corbyn said he would not take part at all until Ms May ruled out the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, something she has refused to do since taking office.

Proposals likely to be put to a vote on Tuesday include one that would extend Article 50 and one to give parliament power over the commons schedule instead of the executive, while another aiming for a second referendum was dropped due to a lack of support.

There appeared to be hope for Ms May to receive backing from rebels and her DUP partners in government under an amendment tabled by Sir Graham Brady that would approve the deal she has negotiated with Brussels as long as the Irish backstop was replaced.