EU's chief Brexit negotiator warns bloc could 'disappear'

Guy Verhofstadt, the chief negotiator for the European Parliament in upcoming Brexit negotiations, has said the EU is in danger of disappearing as it comes under pressure from populist movements.

Verhofstadt, the former prime minister of Belgium and head of the Liberal and Democrat Alliance in the EU, told the BBC World Service that the bloc must reform in the very near future.

He cited various factors which are putting pressure on the European project in the aftermath of Brexit, including those from further afield such as the foreign policies of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

"Then there's also the threat of jihadism and then internally we have enormous pressure by nationalists, populists, the whole question of Brexit, so it's an existential moment for the European Union," he said.

Verhofstadt added that it was "now the time to reform, otherwise it could disappear."

The Belgian is expected to lead a team of stern negotiators from Europe as Theresa May's government prepare to invoke Article 50 and formally begin the process for Britain's departure.

He has previously criticised May for creating an "illusion" that Britain will be able to reap benefits of the EU such as access to the free market, without allowing free movement of goods and people.

"I think it creates an illusion that you can go out of the single market and the customs union and you can cherry pick and still have a number of advantages," he said.