Top Eurocrat dubbed 'The Monster' handed key Brexit role
A top Eurocrat dubbed ‘The Monster’ has been handed a key role in overseeing Brexit talks.
Martin Selmayr – who was widely blamed for leaking details of Theresa May’s meetings Jean-Claude Juncker – will take up the job of secretary general.
The German earned his nickname for his fearsome grip on Brussels policymaking and is known to be a vocal opponent of Brexit.
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Many officials in the UK believe his mission is to make it as difficult and painful for the UK to leave the European Union.
As such, his appointment to the EU’s top civil service role, is seen as another potential roadblock in securing a favourable deal after March 2019.
Selmayr is believed to have been behind the leaks of the prime minister’s meetings with the EC chief last year which revealed Juncker said: “I leave Downing Street ten times as sceptical as I was before.”
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He has also branded Britain’s decision to leave the bloc as “stupid”.
Tory MEP Syed Kamall said: “The Commission should be looking at ways to make Brussels more transparent and democratic, yet this appointment resembles nothing more than jobs for the boys.”
But Juncker said it was imperative the new secretary general was someone who “really knows how the EU works and has connections in Europe and beyond”.
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He added: “The next 20 months will be decisive in fully delivering on a Europe that protects, empowers and defends. I need the best team in place.
“This is why I want Martin Selmayr as the new secretary-general to steer the talented and hard-working administration of our institution.”
Selmayr replaces Alexander Italianer, who had announced he would be stepping down after three years in the job.
