Nigel Farage appeared at the European Parliament today, and it might not come as a surprise to many that the anti-EU former Ukip leader was heckled during his speech.
Farage drew particular criticism for accusing MEPs of “behaving like the mafia” over the conditions of Brexit.
He was told to retract his “unacceptable” remark by the Parliament’s president, Italian Antonio Tajani, and said that, in respect of national sensitivities, he would instead brand them “gangsters”.
The row came as the Parliament heard a string of senior MEPs insist that Britain cannot enjoy “the same or better conditions” in its relations with the European Union as full member states after Brexit.
Many have condemned his speech, in particular his use of the term “mafia”.
@Nigel_Farage disgraceful speech to European Parliament deeply unhelpful to the cause of friendly leave #damagingdemeaningdisloyal
— Nicholas Soames (@nsoamesmp) April 5, 2017
I'm sorry #EU, and so ashamed of Nigel Farage. He's an absolute disgrace to our country.
— Alastair Morgan (@AlastairMorgan) April 5, 2017
Dear Brussels, @Nigel_Farage does not speak for me, nor on the behalf of most of us in the UK. Please continue jeering, but only at him.
— ??Suzanne?? (@Suze_with_views) April 5, 2017
Others think that his approach doesn’t help the country navigating Brexit smoothly.
@mrjamesob can't wait for the great trade deals after @Nigel_Farage outburst. Nigel, please shut up!
— Neil Simms (@simms100) April 5, 2017
Whereas on the other side of the spectrum, some disagree with his choice of language but agree with the sentiment of his speech.
@LeaveEUOfficial @Nigel_Farage maybe a little too direct but factually correct, EU trying to hold us hostage with unreasonable demands.
— #Londonisone (@camrun75) April 5, 2017
And many agree with him entirely.
@lbc #lbc Nigel Farage was spot on, the EU is a dictatorship! Plain talking it does the job, mafia was the right word!
— Tanis Pullen (@Tanis1958) April 5, 2017
@DavidJo52951945 @Nigel_Farage Totally agree and he is bang on right they are behaving like the mafia good for him one of the only people man enough to say it how it is.
— jon smith (@joe_bloggs_1999) April 5, 2017
Others have clearly been watching too much of the Godfather recently.
Nigel Farage is gonna be sleeping with the fishes #Mafia
— Tommy Storey (@Hunkchunkalmond) April 5, 2017
Farage doesn’t seem to be changing his stance on the EU, saying after his speech: “As a beginning, not too much to be optimistic about.”
Nigel Farage gives his first reaction on the EU Parliament session on Brexit in which he labelled the EU the "mafia". pic.twitter.com/S4OQgIXUaO
— LBC (@LBC) April 5, 2017
Farage told MEPs that if the EU tried to impose tariffs on exports from the UK, Britons could boycott European goods.