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UKIP's alliance in Europe rescued by Polish MEP UKIP's alliance in Europe rescued by Polish MEP
(about 1 hour later)
The UK Independence Party says a Polish MEP has joined its Eurosceptic grouping in the European Parliament, paving the way for significant EU funding and committee posts.The UK Independence Party says a Polish MEP has joined its Eurosceptic grouping in the European Parliament, paving the way for significant EU funding and committee posts.
The EFDD group was thrown into disarray last week after a Latvian MEP left.The EFDD group was thrown into disarray last week after a Latvian MEP left.
Now it is "back with a bang", UKIP announced, welcoming Polish MEP Robert Iwaszkiewicz to its ranks.Now it is "back with a bang", UKIP announced, welcoming Polish MEP Robert Iwaszkiewicz to its ranks.
European Parliament rules say party blocs have to have at least 25 MEPs from seven different countries.European Parliament rules say party blocs have to have at least 25 MEPs from seven different countries.
The EFDD (Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy) says Mr Iwaszkiewicz has been officially registered as a member of the group, restoring the EFDD's status.The EFDD (Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy) says Mr Iwaszkiewicz has been officially registered as a member of the group, restoring the EFDD's status.
The EFDD has 48 members - half of them UKIP politicians - in the 751-seat parliament. In total, Eurosceptics account for about one-third of MEPs.The EFDD has 48 members - half of them UKIP politicians - in the 751-seat parliament. In total, Eurosceptics account for about one-third of MEPs.
"We will now make the EU's centralising fanatics regret their short-lived bout of hubris," UKIP leader Nigel Farage said in a statement. He blamed European Parliament President Martin Schulz for the departure last week of Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule."We will now make the EU's centralising fanatics regret their short-lived bout of hubris," UKIP leader Nigel Farage said in a statement. He blamed European Parliament President Martin Schulz for the departure last week of Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule.
He accused Mr Schulz, a German Socialist, of "manipulative backroom politics of the worst kind".He accused Mr Schulz, a German Socialist, of "manipulative backroom politics of the worst kind".
"EU Federalists will be sitting in a corner somewhere slowly rocking, muttering the words 'please make the Eurosceptics go away' over and over," Mr Farage said."EU Federalists will be sitting in a corner somewhere slowly rocking, muttering the words 'please make the Eurosceptics go away' over and over," Mr Farage said.
Last week Mr Schulz denied any wrongdoing in connection with Ms Grigule's decision to leave the EFDD.Last week Mr Schulz denied any wrongdoing in connection with Ms Grigule's decision to leave the EFDD.
Mr Iwaszkiewicz said he joined EFDD "because of two important values - opposition to EU bureaucracy and support for free markets".Mr Iwaszkiewicz said he joined EFDD "because of two important values - opposition to EU bureaucracy and support for free markets".
He has campaigned against further European integration - but has also stated his support for the free movement of people in the EU, which appears to put him at odds with Mr Farage, the BBC's Duncan Crawford reports from Brussels.
Mr Iwaszkiewicz recently caused controversy in Poland after telling a newspaper that men hitting their wives can "help them come back down to earth". He later claimed he was being sarcastic.
He is a member of the Polish Congress of the New Right (KNP), led by Janusz Korwin-Mikke, who has a reputation for anti-EU rhetoric and controversial views about women.
According to Polish radio, Mr Korwin-Mikke said in June that French National Front leader Marine Le Pen judged his party "too extreme" to be an ally in Europe.