Oxford Union members were left stunned by a quip made by chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a talk at their society.
The French politician joined students to discuss his role in the bloc’s approach to Britain’s departure from the European Union.
The former French presidential candidate left many Britons frustrated with his aggressive approach to negotiations that lasted four years.
He was credited by the Oxford Union president for the leadership skills it took to unite the bloc in the face of Britain’s exit.
Michel Barnier mentioned Boris Johnson as he spoke to Oxford Union students
OXFORD UNION
Opening up his response, Barnier brought up a fact that the Oxford Union president said “we don’t talk about much”.
“I am very honoured and privileged to be invited by the Oxford Union”, he said.
Boris Johnson clashed with Barnier often on post-Brexit terms
PA
Michel Barnier says Brexit was like an 'electric shock'
OXFORD UNION
“I know that a long time ago, it had Boris Johnson as the president.”
The comment drew smatterings of laughter from the audience.
Boris Johnson was often warring with Barnier over a vast array of post-Brexit arrangements like fishing and the Irish border.
In a diary, La Grande Illusion, Barnier spilt secrets of the Brexit negotiations and branded the UK’s team ”childish” and “not up to the task”.
Talking up his achievements to the Oxford students, he told them that achieving a sense of unity within the bloc was vital for achieving the best possible deal.
“It was a key challenge from day one”, he said.
“We are not a federate state and to be clear, and despite what I read sometimes, we don’t want to be a federate state.
“There is not a single European person or nation or state, we are 27 nations. Each of them want to be respected and keep their national identity and its difference.
“It cannot be simple. We are looking for the unity of the 27 not the uniform.
“Brexit was an electric shock. It was a sovereign choice of the UK and we respected it. But it was an earthquake.”