I'm getting fed up of saying this. The nonsense about fears of a "European army" was one of the many lies propagated during the leave campaign, and, though I've mentioned this umpteen times here, it's depressing to see the lie still being told in this thread (cf post of 01.57pm yesterday). So here it is again: the European Commission can't propose a European army, no matter what the expressed aspirations of EU leaders are. It is beyond its remit. If individual EU countries want to get together to join forces, well good for them, but an official EU army is impossible unless ALL 28 MEMBER STATES AGREE. As the UK does not agree, the whole notion has been effectively vetoed. To put it simply, while we are members, there will never be a European army of the kind being vexatiously postulated by lying brexiteers.

So what's the lie? "As members of the EU we will be forced to participate in a European army" (a lie oft embellished with the threat of our young lads and lasses thereby being vulnerable to conscription).

So what's the truth? There will be no European army, no matter what any EU bigwig says, while we are members of the EU. What's more, if and when we leave the EU it will mean one state fewer demurring at the notion, therefore actually increasing the possibility of its happening.

I really do think that this one should be put to bed once and for all.