Dismay at EU chief Juncker retirement delay

The £350,000-a-year European Commission president is due to step down in October but is being lined up for an extension as Brussels tries to derail Brexit. The prospect of Mr Juncker, 64, keeping a stranglehold on power has horrified MPs. Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The EU clearly needs different leadership and new energy rather than its current failed regime remaining in place. It is very important we do not have any delays, we get on with Brexit, and the UK leaves on March 29.”

Mr Juncker has been repeatedly forced to deny he has a drink problem after appearing unsteady on his feet at official functions.

He previously said: “You think I’d still be in office if I was having cognac for breakfast? It really makes me sad and it has even led my wife to question if I lie to her, as I do not drink when I’m home.”

The former prime minister of Luxembourg, Mr Juncker’s five-year fixed term of office is due to end on October 31 but there is now a realistic possibility he could stay until Brexit is finalised.

The bombshell comes as the Daily Express was told the EU had made moves to delay Brexit for at least another year after raising the prospect of extending Article 50 at an “official level”.

Backbench Tory MP David Davies said: “This is simply about kicking the can down the road to prevent us leaving but it’s simple: We can either ignore the will of 17.4 million people, we can accept some sort of compromise or we can just get out.”

Mr Juncker’s spokesman Margaritis Schinas said: “I will not speculate on anything that might, might not, is possible, less possible, or risks happening after the legal expiry of the mandate of the Juncker Commission.”

source: express.co.uk