EU's Guy Verhofstadt says Brexiteers with no plan 'would manage to divide hell' as war of words ramps up

'Well, I doubt Lucifer would welcome them, as after what they did to Britain, they would even manage to divide hell'

Guy Verhofstadt has said Brexiteers without a plan for leaving the EU "would even manage to divide hell" following similar remarks made by Donald Tusk on the eve of Theresa May's visit to Brussels.

The incendiary remarks from the chief of the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinating group come as Theresa May prepares to head to Brussels to seek fresh concessions on her exit deal.

Speaking on Wednesday, the European Council president Mr Tusk risked straining relations with Westminster as he launched a scathing attack on Brexiteer campaigners who demanded the UK leave the EU without explaining how it should happen.

“I’ve been wondering what a special place in hell looks like for people who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely,” Mr Tusk told reporters in Brussels during a joint press conference with the Irish prime minister.

Reacting to Mr Tusk’s remarks, Mr Verhofstadt posted on his Twitter account: “Well, I doubt Lucifer would welcome them, as after what they did to Britain, they would even manage to divide hell.”

Following the comments from the European Council president, cabinet ministers including Sajid Javid, the home secretary, and the Commons leader Andrea Leadsom lined up to criticise Mr Tusk.

"I think that what he has said is pretty unacceptable and pretty disgraceful," Ms Leadsom told the BBC. "I'm sure that when he reflects on it he may well wish he hadn't done it."

And the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson added: "This devilish euro maniac is doing his best to keep the United Kingdom bound by the chains of EU bureaucracy and control."

Asked whether the comments would contribute towards a positive atmosphere for the Prime Minister's visit to Brussels on Thursday, Mrs May's official spokesman told reporters: "I think it is a question for Donald Tusk as to whether he considers the use of that kind of language to be helpful."