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Nigel Farage criticised for saying he will keep EU pension | Nigel Farage criticised for saying he will keep EU pension |
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Nigel Farage has sparked outrage by refusing to give up his taxpayer-funded EU pension after Brexit, asking: “Why should my family suffer?” | Nigel Farage has sparked outrage by refusing to give up his taxpayer-funded EU pension after Brexit, asking: “Why should my family suffer?” |
It is understood the 53-year-old former Ukip leader will be entitled to an annual pension of £73,000 when he reaches the age of 63. | It is understood the 53-year-old former Ukip leader will be entitled to an annual pension of £73,000 when he reaches the age of 63. |
The pension could be part-funded by Britain’s estimated £50bn Brexit “divorce bill”, which Farage has criticised as too large, leading to accusations that the MEP for South East England was a “shameless hypocrite”. | The pension could be part-funded by Britain’s estimated £50bn Brexit “divorce bill”, which Farage has criticised as too large, leading to accusations that the MEP for South East England was a “shameless hypocrite”. |
Farage defended the arrangement when challenged on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show. Asked if he would accept the EU pension money, he replied: “Of course I would take it. I have said that right from day one. Why should my family and others suffer even more?” | Farage defended the arrangement when challenged on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show. Asked if he would accept the EU pension money, he replied: “Of course I would take it. I have said that right from day one. Why should my family and others suffer even more?” |
However, Farage said he did not expect the money would ever be paid. He told the programme: “Given the arbitrary way the European Union behaves in terms of money, I would be very surprised if I get any of it. I don’t think it will even occur.” | However, Farage said he did not expect the money would ever be paid. He told the programme: “Given the arbitrary way the European Union behaves in terms of money, I would be very surprised if I get any of it. I don’t think it will even occur.” |
He denied his position was hypocritical, adding: “I have just voted to get rid of my job. I was the turkey that voted for Christmas. How is that hypocrisy?” | He denied his position was hypocritical, adding: “I have just voted to get rid of my job. I was the turkey that voted for Christmas. How is that hypocrisy?” |
The Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “Nigel Farage is a shameless hypocrite. He rails against the so-called EU gravy train, but is happy to cash in when it suits him.” | The Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “Nigel Farage is a shameless hypocrite. He rails against the so-called EU gravy train, but is happy to cash in when it suits him.” |
But former MEP for the East Midlands, Roger Helmer, was quick to defend Farage. He tweeted: “Why on earth should Nigel Farage give up his pension? It was accrued legitimately at a time when the UK was an EU member state in good standing, and a major net contributor. It is the duty of the EU to pay it.” |