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Eurosceptic MEP faces reprimand Eurosceptic MEP faces reprimand
(about 3 hours later)
The Eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage is expected to be disciplined by the president of the European Parliament over a tirade he delivered last week.The Eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage is expected to be disciplined by the president of the European Parliament over a tirade he delivered last week.
In the parliament Mr Farage lambasted the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, saying he had "the charisma of a damp rag".In the parliament Mr Farage lambasted the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, saying he had "the charisma of a damp rag".
The possible sanctions range from a reprimand to a suspension, a parliament spokesperson told BBC News. Possible sanctions range from a reprimand to suspension, a parliament spokesperson told BBC News.
Parliament head Jerzy Buzek could also withdraw the MEP's daily allowances. But Mr Farage told the BBC that he would not apologise for his remarks.
"It's not a hearing," the spokesperson said. "Mr Buzek simply invited Mr Farage to see him about his statements and formulations during the plenary." Ahead of the meeting with Parliament head Jerzy Buzek at 1300 GMT, Mr Farage said he was providing a legitimate "voice of opposition" in the European Parliament against what he said was the loss of UK powers to Brussels.
The meeting is scheduled for 1300 GMT.
'Bank clerk''Bank clerk'
Mr Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) group in the parliament, drew jeers last Wednesday when he turned on Mr Van Rompuy, saying he had the appearance of a "low-grade bank clerk".Mr Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) group in the parliament, drew jeers last Wednesday when he turned on Mr Van Rompuy, saying he had the appearance of a "low-grade bank clerk".
Mr Van Rompuy got a blistering attack on his first appearance before MEPs The attack came as Mr Van Rompuy, a former Belgian prime minister, made his maiden appearance in parliament in Brussels.
The attack came as Mr Van Rompuy, a former Belgian prime minister, made his maiden appearance in parliament in Brussels. His job was created by the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty - a treaty condemned by Eurosceptics. His job was created by the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty - a treaty condemned by Eurosceptics.
I have done this because I have been sent here to provide a voice of opposition and that is exactly what I will try and go on doing Nigel Farage, UKIP MEP
Mr Farage's party, UKIP, campaigns for a withdrawal of Britain from the European Union. It has 13 representatives in the parliament.Mr Farage's party, UKIP, campaigns for a withdrawal of Britain from the European Union. It has 13 representatives in the parliament.
Mr Farage opened his attack against Mr Van Rompuy by saying "I don't want to be rude" - before launching into a personal attack lasting several minutes.Mr Farage opened his attack against Mr Van Rompuy by saying "I don't want to be rude" - before launching into a personal attack lasting several minutes.
"Who are you? I'd never heard of you, nobody in Europe had ever heard of you," Mr Farage said."Who are you? I'd never heard of you, nobody in Europe had ever heard of you," Mr Farage said.
"You seem to have a loathing for the very concept of the existence of nation states," he continued, adding: "Perhaps that's because you come from Belgium, which is pretty much a non-country.""You seem to have a loathing for the very concept of the existence of nation states," he continued, adding: "Perhaps that's because you come from Belgium, which is pretty much a non-country."
A spokesman for the European Parliament said Mr Farage was not facing a hearing into his comments but had been "simply invited Mr Farage to see him about his statements and formulations during the plenary".
'No stunt'
Mr Farage denied his remarks were a personal slur on Mr Van Rompuy, saying they were part of the "lively debate" needed in Parliament.
"I have not done this as a stunt," he told the BBC's Daily Politics.
Mr Van Rompuy got a blistering attack on his first appearance before MEPs
"I have done this because I have been sent here to provide a voice of opposition and that is exactly what I will try and go on doing."
He said he would continue to draw attention to the fact that Mr Van Rompuy and other EU officials had the power to "fundamentally change" the lives of UK citizens even though they had not been elected.
"He [Mr Van Rompuy] will have the power, at the next general election, so it will not matter whether Labour or the Tories win because our economic management will be in Brussels and all this has happened without us being given a free and fair referendum."
Mr Van Rompuy, 62, was chosen unanimously by the governments of the EU's 27 member states to take on the role of the first permanent European Council president.Mr Van Rompuy, 62, was chosen unanimously by the governments of the EU's 27 member states to take on the role of the first permanent European Council president.
Mr Van Rompuy said he held Mr Farage's comments "in contempt", without elaborating.Mr Van Rompuy said he held Mr Farage's comments "in contempt", without elaborating.