This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7963109.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Le Pen defiant on Holocaust claim Euro MPs in move to block Le Pen
(about 1 hour later)
The veteran French far-right leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has repeated his much-criticised claim that the Nazi gas chambers were "a detail of history". Leading Euro MPs are pushing for a rule change to stop the veteran French far-right leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, from presiding over the European Parliament.
"I merely said that the gas chambers were a detail of the history of the world war, which is an obvious fact," Mr Le Pen told the European Parliament. The head of the conservative EPP, the largest bloc, has backed the initiative of the Socialists and Greens to block Mr Le Pen, AFP news agency reports.
As the oldest MEP, Mr Le Pen, 80, could chair the new parliament's inaugural session on 14 July under the rules.
Mr Le Pen has again called the Nazi gas chambers "a detail of history".
The Nazis murdered at least six million Jews in death camps in World War II. Hundreds of thousands of others were also killed there, including Roma gypsies and disabled people.
"I merely said that the gas chambers were a detail of the history of the world war, which is an obvious fact," Mr Le Pen, leader of the National Front (FN), told the European Parliament on Wednesday.
His remark drew boos and whistles from MEPs. He was fined 1.2m francs ($290,000) for the same claim in 1987.His remark drew boos and whistles from MEPs. He was fined 1.2m francs ($290,000) for the same claim in 1987.
The Nazis murdered at least six million Jews in death camps in World War II.
Hundreds of thousands of others were also killed there, including Roma gypsies and disabled people.
Mr Le Pen, the 80-year-old National Front (FN) leader, repeated his claim as MEPs moved to prevent him from chairing the inaugural session of the new parliament, set for 14 July.
Earlier, the head of the Socialist group, German MEP Martin Schulz, said he was "concerned that a Holocaust denier could preside over the inaugural session" on 14 July.Earlier, the head of the Socialist group, German MEP Martin Schulz, said he was "concerned that a Holocaust denier could preside over the inaugural session" on 14 July.
They'll probably also adopt a resolution to stop the Earth rotating Jean-Marie Le PenThey'll probably also adopt a resolution to stop the Earth rotating Jean-Marie Le Pen
The French news agency AFP says some of the leading groups in the parliament have now agreed to bar Mr Le Pen from chairing the session. As the oldest MEP - the "doyen" - he is in line to do so after June's European elections. The parliament reconvenes after the European elections in June, in which Mr Le Pen, a staunch nationalist, is expected to run again.
The rules say the doyen chairs the session until a new parliament president is elected. But the Socialists and Greens proposed a rule change to block Mr Le Pen. The rules say the oldest MEP - or "doyen" - chairs the session until a new parliament president is elected. But the Socialists and Greens proposed a rule change to block Mr Le Pen.
He espouses staunchly nationalist policies and is running for re-election.
The Greens co-president, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, said "we would like to see the youngest deputy open the session, not because of Le Pen, but because it's a sign of the future".The Greens co-president, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, said "we would like to see the youngest deputy open the session, not because of Le Pen, but because it's a sign of the future".
Mr Le Pen described their manoeuvre as "idiotic". "It's just like them to do this. They'll probably also adopt a resolution to stop the Earth rotating," he said.Mr Le Pen described their manoeuvre as "idiotic". "It's just like them to do this. They'll probably also adopt a resolution to stop the Earth rotating," he said.
A rule change would require the agreement of all the political groups' leaders in the parliament. A rule change would require the agreement of all the political groups' leaders and a vote in the assembly.
But there was some dissent. Liberal ALDE leader Graham Watson - speaking before Mr Le Pen repeated his gas chambers statement - said: "There is no reason to treat Mr Le Pen differently from others, even if we hate his politics".But there was some dissent. Liberal ALDE leader Graham Watson - speaking before Mr Le Pen repeated his gas chambers statement - said: "There is no reason to treat Mr Le Pen differently from others, even if we hate his politics".