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UK has dropped the 'fragile vase' over Brexit, Dutch prime minister says

Mark Rutte says the UK is "caught up in chaos", despite being a trusted ally of Theresa May's in the negotiations.

Theresa May and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the start of a meeting in the Hague
Image: Theresa May has counted the Dutch PM as an ally in the Brexit talks
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A top European leader Theresa May counts as a trusted ally in Brexit talks has blasted the UK for being caught up in "chaos".

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte compared his own country to a "fragile vase" but said on this side of the channel the vase has been "dropped".

"I compare the Netherlands to a fragile vase, held by its 17 million citizens," he wrote in a full-page advert, printed in the popular daily tabloid Algemeen Dagblad.

Full-page ad taken out by Dutch PM Mark Rutte warning Britain has "dropped the vase" on Brexit
Image: The Dutch prime minister made the warning in a newspaper advert

In order to preserve the vase, "compromises often have to be made in which difficult problems are solved in a sensible way," he continued.

But Mr Rutte warned there are examples in society "where the vase has been dropped."

"Look at Great Britain," he said.

Broken white porcelain vase on wooden floor - Stock image
Image: Mr Rutte compared Britain to a broken vase

"There, its politicians and its people have forgotten what they've reached together.

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"Now they are caught up in chaos."

Rutte was the first stop on Prime Minister Theresa May's tour to get legal assurances for a Brexit deal from EU leaders last week.

He has been Dutch prime minister since 2010 and currently leads a shaky coalition government.

Observers said the advert was the start of his campaign for his liberal VVD party, in the run up to European Parliament elections next year.

Mr Rutte supported Mrs May at last week's EU summit, but withheld a promise to give new legal assurances about the Irish border backstop.

Warning against a second referendum, he told reporters: "Given Brexit, given the red lines, the deal's on the table and we have to dance with Theresa against this tune."