Farage called 'a liar; as Brexit prompts angry exchanges in Strasbourg

Farage and Juncker clash while Scottish MEP gets standing ovation

No love lost: Nigel farage and Jean-Claude Juncker

It was a day of strong feelings and mixed receptions at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, with Nigel Farage called a “liar” and the UKIP leader responding that most MEPs had “never had a proper job in your lives”.

Amid often bruising encounter, called to discuss Britain's referendum decision to quit the European Union there was also an emotional plea to the parliament from Scottish MEP Alyn Smith “not to let Scotland down”.

It was the first time that a plenary session had been convened at such short notice, but European Parliament President Martin Schulz noted that the UK citizens’ decision to leave the EU was equally unprecedented. It was also the first session since Lord Hill's resignation from the EU Commission.

Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission President, called for clarity and jibed at UKIP leader Nigel Farage: “Why are you here?”

“We must respect the will of the British people,” Juncker said but “there must be consequences”.

He asked the British government to “clarify” the situation as soon as possible, to prevent uncertainty.

“No notification, no negotiations”, he said, insisting there would be no secret or informal talks with London.

Taunts

Juncker then taunted Farage: “You are fighting for the exit, the British people voted for the exit, so why are you here?”

Danish MEP Manfred Weber went further, calling Farage “a liar” in a reference to pro-Leave campaign claims about Turkey joining the EU and £350m being spent on the National Health service, rather than EU membership.

“We now expect an Article 50 notification and swift and fair exit negotiations”, he insisted, adding that “the times of appeasement are over” and urging politicians to stop “bashing Brussels” and take responsibility.

Weber also promised Britain's young people, more than 73% of whom voted Remain, ““We won’t leave you on your own”.

Farage, who seemed to be relishing the occasion, reminded the chamber that those who had laughed at him 17 years ago, when he arrived in Parliament announcing a campaign to leave the EU, were “not laughing now”.

Denial

“You, as a political project, are in denial”, he said, “You’re in denial that your currency is failing. Just look at the Mediterranean!”

He went on to say that the EU had “done very well” by “imposing poverty” on Greece and the Mediterranean.

Farage also returned to the issue of immigration.

“You’re in denial over Mrs. Merkel’s call for as many people as possible to cross the Mediterranean – which has led to massive divisions between within countries and between countries.”

Predicting that the UK would not be the last member state to leave the Union. He warned that if the EU were to reject “a sensible trade deal”, then the consequences would be far worse for the 27 than for the UK.

Deal or no deal

“Even no deal is better for the UK than the rotten deal we have now”, he said.

“But if we were to move to a position where tariffs were reintroduced on products like motor cars then hundreds of thousands of German works would risk losing their jobs.

“Why don’t we be grown up, pragmatic, sensible, realistic and let’s cut between us a sensible tariff-free deal and thereafter recognise that the United Kingdom will be your friend, that we will trade with you, cooperate with you, we will be your best friends in the world.”

However, amid jeers and some laughter, Farage jibed at his fellow MEPS: “"I know that virtually none of you have ever done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or worked in trade or ever created a job."

Belgium's Guy Verhofstadt likened the Leave campaign to Nazi propaganda and said it had been based on lies that created a climate of fear and “negativism”.

Echoing Juncker's attack on Farage, Verhofstadt said: “Finally we are going to get rid of the biggest waste in the EU Budget, which we have paid for 17 years, your salary!”

Welcoming Brexit: Marine Le Pen

Farage received support from France's Front National leader Marine Le Pen who called the UK vote the “by far the most important historic event since the fall of the Berlin wall” and an outcry of love of the British people for their country.

She described the Brexit vote as a slap in the face for “EU tenants” and showed that the EU project is not irreversible, she added. Delaying implementation of the decision would not be democratic, she warned.

MEPs were naturally anxious to end the uncertainty surrounding Brexit with Dutch minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert saying that no-one would benefit from “a prolonged period of political limbo."

She added: “Now, a part of Europe's challenge is to convince citizens that unity remains the best choice. The fact that fragmentation is no longer unthinkable, should gravely concern us all.”

That sentiment was echoed by the Italian Socialists & Democrats group leader Gianni Pittella, who said: “The European Union cannot become a hostage to the internal party politics of the Conservatives.”

Both, however recognised that it was important to give the UK the time it needed to start the process.

'Do not let Scotland down'

Alyn Smith received a standing ovation for his speech in which he described himself as ‘proudly Scottish and proudly European’.

He added: “I want my country to be internationalist, cooperative, ecological, fair, European.

“And the people of Scotland, along with the people of Northern Ireland, and the people of London and lots and lots of people in Wales and England also, voted to remain within our family of nations.
“I demand that that status and that esprit européen be respected.

“Colleagues, there is a lot of things to be negotiated. We will need cool heads and warm hearts.

“But please, remember this: Scotland did not let you down. Please, I beg you, chers collègues, do not let Scotland down now.”