Yorks MEP in "fascist" jibe (From The Northern Echo)

Yorks MEP in "fascist" jibe

12:23pm Wednesday 24th November 2010 in News

Godfrey Bloom

UK Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom was expelled from the European Parliament chamber today for calling German Socialist MEP Martin Schulz an "undemocratic fascist".

Mr Bloom interrupted a speech by Mr Schulz by calling out, in German, the infamous Nazi slogan, "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer" - One People, One Nation, One Leader.

The heckle came as Mr Schulz was complaining about the UK's role in reducing the size of the EU budget next year and asking: "Does the UK decide everything that happens in the EU?"

Mr Bloom's shout prompted Mr Schulz to respond: "I don't know if people heard that... when a man like that traipses through this chamber chanting "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer..." there were people in Germany who said that and I fight against that spirit in everything I do, but I'm not sure he (Mr Bloom) does."

European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek, chairing the debate, looked set to carry on, but jeers rose up and the French centre-right leader in the Parliament Joseph Daul challenged Mr Bloom to apologise.

He said: "We are in a democracy, this is a democratic era and I would ask you to make an official apology.

"This is not acceptable - I'm almost surprised you didn't add concentration camps to the equation."

Mr Buzek then asked Mr Bloom to apologise and the Ukip member for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire stood up and replied: "The views expressed by Herr Schulz meet the case - he is an undemocratic fascist."

A shocked Mr Buzek retorted: "Well, we expected something quite different."

Amid a growing clamour from MEPs, Mr Buzek then asked Mr Bloom to leave the chamber.

With a shrug and a look of bemusement, Mr Bloom did so - and when he returned later to take part in a vote, the session was stopped while ushers escorted him out once again.

Afterwards Mr Bloom commented: "Schulz is an unrepentant Euro nationalist and a socialist.

"He wants one currency, one EU state, one EU people.

"Already the Euro nationalists have one currency, one flag, one anthem, a foreign service and are creating a home office for justice.

"They are creating here one Parliament with one executive and one EU citizenry.

"The EU Commission have already taken control of the economies of Ireland and Greece, no doubt others to follow."

Mr Bloom went on: "These Euro nationalists are a danger to democracy. These people are fanatics.

"People have got to wake up to this fact.

"My father, as a Spitfire pilot, fought for freedom against Nazi domination of Europe. As an MEP, I will fight against the destruction of democracy across Europe."