Nigel Farage today said Britain and Brussels have still not discussed immigration in Brexit talks nearly a year after negotiations kicked off.
The ex Ukip leader said it was ‘clear’ Michel Barnier still does not understand that the EU’s ‘open door’ strategy was the main driver behind the decision to quit the bloc.
Mr Farage tore into the ‘disappointing’ state of affairs after he held private talks with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels today.
Speaking after the hotly-anticipated meeting, Mr Farage said: ‘What he really didn’t understand at all is that open door immigration within the European Union has been an absolute key driver of all of this. He really doesn’t see that.
‘And to be honest with you the most disappointing thing – if I’m speaking on behalf of 17.4 million people, most of them anyway – is that it’s pretty clear that in the talks that have happened so far immigration frankly hasn’t even been discussed.
‘We haven’t even begun to talk about how we are going to put some proper controls in place.’
Nigel Farage, pictured in Brussels with aides today, demanded a meeting with the EU’s top Brexit negotiator after complaining the voices of the 17.4million Britons who voted Leave are being ignored
The ex Ukip leader, pictured in Brussels today, was inundated with thousands of replies as Brits urged him to challenge Brussels over whether they have finally recognised the outcome of the historic referendum.
He travelled to the EU’s capital with three questions to confront the Eurocrat with which he plucked from thousands of suggestions on Twitter.
And he accused the EU’s chief negotiator of spending too much time talking to arch-Remainers like Nick Clegg and Lord Adonis who are desperate to thwart Brexit and reverse the referendum.
Mr Farage said: ‘The first one was the most illuminating of all and it was did he actually understand why people had voted for Brexit.
‘And he rather takes the view – because he has spent far too much time talking to (Nick) Clegg, (Lord) Adonis and Ken Clarke and people like that, he’s got the view it’s because people have been promised a lot of money for the health service.’
He also revealed that no cameras or press were allowed inside the meeting, adding: ‘I think he was as pleased to meet me as David Cameron was to hold the referendum in the first place.’
He said public opinion in the UK is hardening behind Brexit because ‘the blood curdling predictions’ of former Chancellor George Osborne have failed to materialise.
The ex Ukip leader demanded a meeting with the EU’s top Brexit negotiator after complaining the voices of the 17.4million Britons who voted Leave are being ignored.
Mr Farage took to Twitter to ask for suggestions for questions to hit the Eurocrat with in today’s showdown.
And he was inundated with thousands of replies as Brits urged him to challenge Brussels over whether they have finally recognised the outcome of the historic referendum.
Paul William Smith suggested Mr Barnier be asked if he even ‘understands why the majority of the British people voted to leave’.
Arriving in Brussels today Mr Farage complained that he ‘hasn’t heard a dickie bird about immigration’ and is worried about a post Brexit trade deal.
Other Twitter users urged Mr Farage to challenge the EU negotiator over the disastrous implications for the EU if it stubbornly refuses to do a trade deal with Britain.
Arriving in Brussels today Nigel Farage complained that he ‘hasn’t heard a dickie bird about immigration’ and is worried about the UK/EU trade deal
Michel Barnier has been accused of not doing enough to meet people who represent the views of the 17.4 million Brits who voted to leave the bloc
In his Twitter video plugging the meeting Mr Farage said: ‘Who is in there representing the views of the 17.4 million? Nobody.
‘Well I’ve finally got my meeting with Mr Barnier, it’s going to happen 11am next Monday morning in Brussels, but I want to involve you.
‘I want you to ask your questions directly to Michel Barnier, so respond, give me your name, give me your home town, give me one question use the hashtag askbarnier and I’ll pick the best three.’
Rathfriland R.S.C. replied: ‘Regarding Northern Ireland can you ensure he realises that NI economy dependant on the only Union that counts eg:-UK Union.
‘That being the case why is technology to monitor the border not acceptable by ROI when they use to them for tolls etc on their own motorways?’
Paul William Smith suggested Mr Barnier be asked if he even ‘understands why the majority of the British people voted to leave’
Rathfriland R.S.C. suggested Mr Farage ask about ensuring Northern Ireland remain closely linked to the UK economy after Brexit
Liam Sweet pointed out the EU’s finances have not been signed off by auditors and questioned how the bloc could make an exit demand
Adrian Pickering said the decision to grow military cooperation in Brussels had fuelled Brexit voters determination to leave
Liam Sweet pointed out the EU’s finances have not been signed off by auditors.
He said: ‘If the EU books haven’t been fully signed off, how can one negotiate terms for a closure?
‘More importantly, in that situation, how can the EU demand financial settlements?’
Adrian Pickering said: ‘Does he realise that the latest EU policy direction of all member states joining Euro, Army etc has strengthened the will of the UK people to continue to follow the Brexit path.’
But hundreds of people seized on the chance to ridicule Mr Farage, demanding he give up his EU pension and claiming voters were misled in the referendum campaign.
Ambient Mike was one of many people to mock Mr Farage. He said: ‘What a huge relief it’s going to be for most British people not to have the embarrassment of UKIP MEPs in the European Parliament any more.
‘If we can still be in the Single Market then it’ll be the only material result of Brexit! What a fantastic outcome, yes?’
Sussex Gardener teased that he did not understand why Mr Barnier was meeting someone who had never been elected to the British Parliament
Delenn Moresby was cross about NIgel Farage openly refusing to represent people who did not agree with him
Ambient Mike said the best result of the Brexit negotiations would be staying inside the single market but leaving the European Parliament to deprive Ukip MEPs of their jobs
Sussex Gardener teased: ‘Michel, why are you meeting some bloke who hasn’t been elected to the Britsh Parliament?
‘Can you meet me the following Monday?’
Jim Cognito said: ‘Do you think MEPs should have a minimum attendance requirement in European Parliament to stop absolute charlatans like members of Ukip who have atrocious attendance records but still receive full salaries?
Delenn Moresby asked: ‘I’d like to ask both of you if you think it acceptable to meet any political figure that openly admits to only wanting to represent those who agree with him.
‘Farage couldn’t give a damn about the rest of us.’