Brexit Party’s 29 new Euro MPs turn their BACKS as the EU’s anthem plays sparking immediate row on their first day in the European Parliament
- They turned away as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was played in Strasbourg today
- It led to a rebuke from parliamentary president Antonio Tajani
- Once Brexit occurs they will immediately cease to represent the UK, and so could be out of a job by the end of October
The Brexit Party’s Euro-disruptors arrived at their first European Parliament session today and immediately kicked off a row by turning their backs as the EU anthem was played.
The 29 politicians elected in May’s shock election result deliberately turned away as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was played in the parliamentary building in Strasbourg.
The display from the group including leader Nigel Farage and former Tory shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe led to a rebuke from parliamentary president Antonio Tajani.
The British MEPs arrived in the eastern French city today for what could be their shortest session as European politicians.
Once Brexit occurs they will immediately cease to represent the UK, and so could be out of a job by the end of October.
Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats’ own MEPs delivered their own message as they arrived.
The group wore bright yellow t-shirts with ‘stop Brexit’ emblazoned across the chest and ‘b*llocks to Brexit’ on the back.
The 29 politicians elected in May’s shock election result deliberately turned away as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was played in the parliamentary building in Strasbourg
Nigel Farage and Ann Widdecombe at the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning, where Brexit Party MEPs turned their back on the Euro anthem Ode to Joy.
Earlier, Ms Widdecombe said that the UK must have ‘a proper Brexit, a clean Brexit’.
Speaking from Strasbourg, she told Good Morning Britain: ‘I want one thing, I want Brexit to be delivered. If there is such a thing, which I haven’t yet seen, but if there is such a thing as a Conservative Prime Minister who can deliver Brexit, we will all cheer. But it has got to be a proper Brexit, a clean Brexit, no subjugation to their laws.’
Asked about the party’s UK general election prospects she added: ‘I do believe Nigel Farage could win a General Election but I don’t think we need [Jeremy] Corbyn first to prove that.
The Liberal Democrats wore bright yellow t-shirts with ‘stop Brexit’ emblazoned across the chest
The Brexit Party topped the polls at the May 23 election, returning 29 MEPs on a dark day for the Tories and Labour, who both lost seats.
The British MEPs arrived in the eastern French city to day for what could be their shortest session as European politicians
Outgoing President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani rebuked the Brexit Party MEPs for their act of disobedience
‘The people are already saying very loudly, in poll after poll, that they want the referendum result honoured, that’s what the Brexit Party is about.
‘I think we would prevail in a General Election for that reason. I don’t think you need to wait for Corbyn first.’
The Brexit Party topped the polls at the May 23 election, returning 29 MEPs on a dark day for the Tories and Labour, who both lost seats.