Tanned Tony Blair holidays with EU leader who called for second referendum to reverse Brexit and threatened to ‘bash’ Britain during negotiations
Former PM and wife Cherie were hosted by Maltese leader Joseph Muscat who thanked them for ‘sharing so many insights’
A TANNED Tony Blair has been pictured holidaying with the EU leader who called for a second referendum to reverse Brexit.
The former Prime Minister and Cherie were hosted by the Maltese leader Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle - who thanked them for “sharing so many insights”.
But Mr Muscat has been one of the strongest anti-Brexit voices on the continent, declaring that Brexit will never happen because “everyone will lose” if the referendum is delivered.
Last week he told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant: “For the first time, I'm starting to believe that Brexit will not happen.
“I am seeing hopeful signs that indicate things will change. I see encouraging signs that the tide is turning.
“I'm not saying the Brits have made a mistake, but the mood is changing.”
His comments echoed those made by Mr Blair last month, who claimed it is “possible now that Brexit doesn't happen” – saying “public opinion is moving”.
The ex-Labour leader and leading Remainer also claimed it was “absolutely necessary that it doesn't happen” as leaving the EU will create economic and political “damage”.
The meeting between the pair and their spouses was revealed when Mr Muscat posted a tweet of the four of them.
He captioned it: “It was a pleasure hosting Tony and Cherie Blair and sharing so many insights with them.”
Last night a spokesman for Mr Blair told the Daily Mail they would not divulge details of their discussions.
According to newspaper Malta Today the ex-PM was seen strolling around the streets of the capital - his “tan jacket held casually over his shoulder”.
Mr Blair told Malta's state broadcaster: “I wanted to come here to see Malta again and to meet the Prime Minister.
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“It was not too difficult to come here since we were in Italy.”
He and Cherie’s host warned last November that Britain should expect to get “bashed” by Brussels in the Brexit talks.
Mr Muscat said: “We want a fair deal for the UK but that kind of fair deal can't translate itself into a superior deal.
“I know that there is absolutely no bluffing from the European side, saying 'we will start in this position and then we will soften up'.
“No, this is really and truly our position and I don't see it changing.”
He added: “In the UK it's fair game to bash Brussels and then you don't need to be surprised if in Brussels they bash you back.”
In a further dig at the UK, he dismissed suggestions we are unprepared for the complexity of the negotiations – but insisted the European Union is “much much better prepared”.
Speaking to CNN, he said the level of detail required for the divorce talks was “astonishing”.
He said: “Michel Barnier, our chief negotiator, showed me a huge file with all the details of how many cats and dogs cross from Calais to Dover every year and what are the complications that arise from Brexit on simply having a pet passport.
“Because there’s also the issue of freedom of movement of animals, let alone people.
“The level of detail from the European side is such – it was then that I realised we are very well prepared.”
