Booed at plenary, Ukip leader says other countries will follow UK out of EU

MEPs debate Brexit in plenary

It was a morning of bitter exchanges at the European Parliament as it discussed the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, applauded by Ukip leader and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage for stating that will of the citizens had to be respected, questioned Farage’s presence for the debate.

“You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favour of the exit. Why are you here?” Juncker told Farage.

Farage himself was booed after he insulted MEPs, suggesting that none of them have done “a proper job” in their lives. He accused most of the MEPs of never having done a proper job “or worked in business or in trade”

As MEPs expressed their anger, Farage insisted that the EU should take a “grown up and sensible” attitude to negotiations, adding that the EU would be the one to suffer if trade agreements are not reached with the UK. He also claimed that Britain would not be the last member state to leave the EU”.

“Isn’t it funny, when I came here 17-years-ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the EU you all laughed at me,” Farage told the extraordinary plenary session. “Well, you’re not laughing now.”

Echoing Farage’s sentiment, French far-right National Front Leader Marine Le Pen insisted that the sentiment would turn against the EU if “this totalitarian organization” doesn’t change.

A more vociferous Guy Verhofstadt, of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, said Farage had used "Nazi propaganda" in the campaign, referring to a poster showing lines of refugees.

Verhofstadt attacked "the selfishness of one man prepared to do anything to become the prime minister of the UK", referring to Leave campaigner Boris Johnson who is targeting the British Prime Minister elections.

Verhofstadt called on the UK to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and leave the EU immediately.

He said that only an immediate withdrawal of the UK would end the “uncertainty and toxic climate”.