Ulster Unionist Party leader, Robin Swann MLA, has stated that Guy Verhofstadt`s comments at the Liberal Democrat Party conference should raise concerns for his allies in the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.

Mr Swann said:

“Guy Verhofstadt`s comments at the Liberal Democrat party conference, indicating support for the creation of a European empire, betray his true intentions about the future direction of Europe and should raise real concerns amongst those who act as his cheerleaders in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. As the former leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and a member of Renew Europe which replaced them in June 2019, Mr Verhofstadt`s comments carry real weight within EU circles.

“He stated, ‘The world order of tomorrow is not a world order based on nation states or countries. It`s a world order that is based on empires’.

“His comments also raise questions for those who sit in the same group as Mr Verhofstadt in the European Parliament. Are they in step with Mr Verhofstadt`s vision for the creation of a European empire?

“As Ulster Unionists we want to live in a nation state, the United Kingdom, and not a European Empire. The inconvenient truth for Mr Verhofstadt and the rest of the European Federalists is that the vast majority of citizens who live in the 28 countries that currently make up the EU, also want to live in nation states.

“The language he is using is from a bygone era. Given his previous statements in support of a European Army, calling into question the Republic of Ireland`s position of neutrality, it is clear that Mr Verhofstadt`s latest comments also raise questions for Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney.”