Guy Verhofstadt has seized on Lord David Cameron’s plea for tighter connections between the UK and the EU.
The new Foreign Secretary suggested the UK should work more closely with Brussels on foreign, defence, and security policy, angering Brexiteer Tory MPs.
But in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Verhofstadt insisted Lord Cameron “says the obvious” before making a fresh demand for Britain to rejoin the bloc.
The Belgian MEP said: “The UK and EU should work together to defend democracy and freedom against Putin’s imperialism.
“Why not rejoin?! The best reply to the autocrats and their pundits in the West who want to divide us and destroy liberal democracy.”
In his first full interview since his sensational political comeback, Lord Cameron said the UK must act as “a friend, a neighbour and the best possible partner” to the EU.
He told the BBC: “When you look at the engagement in Ukraine, that probably is the best example of how it’s worked.
“There’s no doubt that Britain is the leading European power in helping Ukraine.
“I heard that over and over again from the president downwards.
“But we’re doing that in partnership with our European colleagues.
“So, I think we can make friend, neighbour and partner work. And I’m determined to do so.”
Lord Cameron’s remarks, however, triggered a backlash from Brexit-supporting Conservative MPs.
In 2016, the former prime minister headed the defeated Remain campaign.