Election results described as 'own goal' for Tories by EU chief Brexit coordinator

'[General Election results] will make already complex negotiations even more complicated,' says EU Brexit negotiator

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The European Parliament's chief Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, has called the general election results an “own goal” for Prime Minister Theresa May.

In a Twitter post he wrote: "Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated."

Mr Verhofstadt was referring to Ms May’s decision to hold another election in a failed attempt to solidify her mandate.

Romanian-born Serge Moscovici, the European Commissioner for economic and financial affairs, echoed his sentiments, saying Ms May had “lost her bet".

Rather than the majority she had hoped for, the Conservatives have been left with a hung parliament and will now have to rely on the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Party (DUP).

According to Politics Home, Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, doesn't believe the future of the Conservative Party lies with Theresa May.

She said she believes "it will be difficult for [Theresa May] to survive".

Sources in Brussels told The Independent the UK election results have thrust Brexit negotiations into “unchartered territory".

Michel Barnier, another lead Brexit negotiator, is calling for a halt in talks, and said they should only “start when the UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Let’s put our minds together on striking a deal".

The European Union’s budget commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, said Brexit talks will likely be delayed, and told Germany’s Deutschlandfunk that a “weak” British negotiating partner was “bad” for talks.

Sweden’s former Foreign Minister Carl Bildt’s blamed the outcome on Ms May, saying it was the “price to be paid for the lack of true leadership".

The socialist leader in the European Parliament, Gianna Pitella, praised Jeremy Corbyn for running a "strong and positive campaign", and said he wanted the Prime Minister to resign, calling the election a “disaster” for her.

Despite calls from both Labour and Tory figures to quit, Ms May has said she will remain in charge of her party and the country.

Germany’s minister for Europe, Michael Roth, expressed his happiness about the election results, in particular praising the “young British".

The turnout for 18 to 24-year-olds was 66.4 per cent, according to Sky News data.