Cameron says EU criticism ‘inappropriate’

LONDON - Agence France Presse

British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned Brussels it was “totally inappropriate” for unelected EU officials to criticize his plans to restrict migrants’ rights to unemployment benefits.

Cameron complained to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso late Nov. 28 at a summit in Lithuania about remarks made by EU Employment Commissioner Lazlo Andor.

“I raised Commissioner Andor’s comments with @BarrosoEU, totally inappropriate for unelected officials to complain about legitimate concerns,” the prime minister tweeted.

A spokesman for Cameron’s Downing Street office added: “When elected European leaders are raising real and substantive concerns about an issue affecting people, it is not for officials to dismiss those without any discussion.” Cameron announced his plans on Nov. 27 in response to growing concerns in Britain about the expected influx of Romanian and Bulgarian workers when restrictions on their movement across the European Union are lifted on January 1. The 28 EU commissioners are appointed to their positions, not elected, subject to the approval of the European Parliament.