By Matt Williams - 12th December 2007
STRASBOURG – MEPs have responded angrily to the disruption of speeches from commission president Barroso and Portuguese president Sócrates.
Socialist MEP Michael Cashman said in a press release on Wednesday that the protesting UKIP and Tory MEPs, upset at the signing of the charter of fundamental rights, were behaving like little children.
“These examples of bully boy tactics have no place in Britain, in Europe or in politics. Their actions have brought shame and ridicule on the United Kingdom… they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves,” he said.
“Their views represent an extremist minority on the fringe of Europe. This is the true reason as to why they have to resort to kicking and screaming like spoilt children or worse,” he added.
President of the European parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering called the scene an “unfortunate sideshow”.
“The protesting means that news coverage about the signing of the charter will now probably be more than we thought, which is something that the protestors didn’t want,” he said.
“The people who shouted didn’t exercise any arguments, they just shouted out. That’s not way to express an argument. If they can be identified, they can be reprimanded. There are possible consequences in terms of amending the rules of procedure,” he added.
UK labour MEP Arlene McCarthy also responded angrily to the disruption.
"Waving banners demanding a referendum is a pointless exercise as the European Parliament cannot determine for member states whether they have a referendum or not, nor should they or are the Tories and UKIP proposing on giving power to the European parliament to decide for us!" she told theparliament.com.
"In joining forces with the Communists and Fascists they demonstrate that they have no respect for individual rights. As one leading German Euro MP commented, these were the type of tactics that the Nazis used in the Weimar Republic, shouting down other speakers," she added.
Welsh Green MEP Jill Evans said that the UK opt-outs meant that British MEPs could not participate in the celebrations as the charter was formally adopted.
“Nothing highlights our disadvantage in Europe more than watching everyone except Britain and possibly Poland sign up to the charter of fundamental rights… those of us who are denied the protection of the charter could only stand on the sidelines,” she said.
However UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, one of the prime movers of the protest, said: "This is the new EU in action, showing the world a united face as they steamroll towards their own superstate while totally refusing to allow anyone to see a different point of view."
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