Theresa May swerves media at Europe summit amid Budget fallout
Downing Street said that Mrs May had skipped the red carpet entrance because she was arriving late.
Theresa May took the highly unusual step of shunning the media as she arrived at a European summit amid pressure on the Government over the Budget.
The Prime Minister did not walk down the red carpet in front of the cameras as she arrived for the European Council summit in Brussels, unlike most other EU leaders.
It comes a day after Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered a Budget which was widely criticised for including a National Insurance hike for self-employed workers, apparently breaking a Tory 2015 general election manifesto commitment.
There was further bad news for Mrs May as Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny indicated he would back demands for Britain to pay a Brexit “divorce bill”, which could reportedly rise to 60 billion euro (£52 billion).
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the summit, Mr Kenny said: “When you sign on for a contract you commit yourself to participation.
“And obviously the extent of that level of money will be determined.
“Mr (Michel) Barnier is the lead negotiator for the European Union and obviously Britain will have a say.
“But that no more than any other problem will have to be faced, it will have to be dealt with and it will be dealt with.”
Mrs May is expected to hold a late-afternoon press conference after she attends the first round of summit talks with the other 27 EU leaders, which are expected to focus on the economy and security.
Mrs May backed the re-election of European Council president Donald Tusk, who survived a challenge from Polish prime minister Beata Szydlo to secure another term to run from June until November 30 2019.
Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka said every EU leader backed Mr Tusk’s continuation in post, apart from Ms Szydlo, who had accused her countryman of interfering in domestic politics.
There had been suggestions that Mrs May was potentially under diplomatic pressure ahead of Brexit negotiations to win an ally by siding with Ms Szydlo but Government sources said the Prime Minister was “pleased” Mr Tusk was re-elected as he is doing a “good job”.
Downing Street said that Mrs May had skipped the red carpet entrance because she was arriving late, after attending the unveiling of a memorial in London to those involved in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
“She was running a bit late and thought the most important thing to do was get into the building and crack on with work,” said a spokesman.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Commons David Lidington set out a timetable for the completion of the parliamentary passage of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill which could pave the way for Mrs May to trigger negotiations under Article 50 as early as Tuesday.
The Bill will return to the House of Commons on Monday, when MPs are expected to overturn House of Lords amendments to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK and to require parliamentary approval of the final Brexit deal.
