In a vivid display of fury at European Union technocrats, British Prime Minister David Cameron refused to pay a surprise €2.1 billion bill Friday as EU leaders ordered an urgent review of the calculations used.
Euroskeptics at home branded the EU a "thirsty vampire" for seeking an additional, immediate sum worth a seventh of London's annual payment following a major statistical review of national incomes. Cameron demanded action from fellow leaders at a summit, calling the sudden bill "completely unacceptable."
He found some sympathy. Cameron told reporters Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi lambasted "bureaucrats without a heart," who made it harder to fend off the attacks of Euroskeptics.