UKIP leader refuses to apologise for remarks

UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage has refused to apologise tto Belgium, its people and its former prime minister after a dressing down from the president of the European Parliament in Brussels.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Mar 2010, 22:08 BST
Updated 2nd Mar 2010, 22:08 BST

Mr Farage was ordered to atone after launching a prolonged personal attack last week on Herman Van Rompuy, Europe's new president.

Yesterday he was summoned to see Parliament president Jerzy Buzek, who demanded the apologies and said he was considering sanctions against Mr Farage, including possible suspension from the chamber.

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Afterwards Mr Farage was unrepentant, insisting he did not need to apologise to Mr Van Rompuy despite saying he possessed "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk".

Neither would he apologise to the people of Belgium for describing their homeland as a "non-country".

Emerging from his official reprimand, Mr Farage said: "I am not going to apologise to Mr Van Rompuy and I am not going to apologise to the people of Belgium.

"Surely I am entitled to have a dig at a man representing 500 million people, who is paid more than the US president, and who has not been elected by us?"

Mr Farage said he had been told sanctions were still under consideration, adding: "I expect to be suspended from the Parliament session next week."

Related topics:Nigel FarageBelgiumEurope