Nigel Farage responds to top Brexit negotiator who called him 'EU's biggest waste of money'
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Version 0 of 1. Europe’s chief Brexit negotiator has said on Nigel Farage’s salary is “the biggest waste of money in the European Union” – only for the Ukip leader to confront him about his comments live on air. In an interview on LBC, Guy Verhofstadt criticised the £84,000 salary drawn by Mr Farage for being an MEP. In response to the remarks, Mr Farage phoned the station and accused European politicians of enjoying a "wonderful lifestyle", while admitting he often entertained guests when visiting Brussels. Mr Verhofstadt has repeatedly said the EU’s budget is squandered on the British MEP, first attacking him in 2012 for taking a generous salary despite never attending committee meetings. When asked on Tuesday by an LBC presenter about his previous accusations, Mr Verhofstadt said: “Yeah, he is still the biggest waste in the European Union.” Mr Farage then appeared on air and insisted he was saving EU taxpayer’s money by not spending much time in Brussels. Since EU politicians receive an allowance when they attend meetings in the city, Mr Farage claimed: “The less I’m there, the less I cost the taxpayer." Mr Farage added that he was “missing out on the wonderful lifestyle” enjoyed by European politicians in Brussels. But he admitted that when he did go, he spent much of his time entertaining guests: “I often have visitors with me, who I entertain and look after.” It was not immediately clear whether he had claimed expenses for this entertainment from the EU budget. Flare-up's between the former Belgian Prime Minister and Mr Farage have been frequent, with Mr Verhofstadt in 2016 accusing the former Ukip leader of lying about immigration, Turkey and the NHS during the referendum campaign. The top negotiator has repeatedly said the EU will not allow the UK to "cherry pick" the conditions of its leaving the bloc. Theresa May has said she expects a bill on Brexit – which will allow her to trigger Article 50 – will be passed by 7 March, Such legislation would allow Ms May to use a European Council summit two days later to officially start the Brexit process. |