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Mairead McGuinness says some of Nigel Farage's colleagues agreed with her cutting him off

The Fine Gael MEP turned off Farage’s mic mid-sentence in the European Parliament during the week.

a28b5f8a-1a31-4283-89c8-fe63559be0c4 File photos of Nigel Farage and Mairead McGuinness. PA Images PA Images

THE FINE GAEL MEP who went viral after cutting off Nigel Farage’s microphone in the European Parliament has said some of his colleagues disagreed with his actions.

Mairead McGuinness, who is First Vice-President of the European Parliament, turned off Farage’s mic mid-sentence during a speech about Britain leaving the EU on Wednesday, for disobeying parliament rules by waving a Union flag.

In the clip McGuinness can be heard saying: “Please sit down, resume your seats, put your flags away, you’re leaving.

“And take them with you if you’re leaving now. Goodbye.”

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

The video immediately went viral on social media with both criticism and praise for McGuinness, who said she was duty bound by the rules of the chamber to cut off the Brexit Party leader.

“The reason I cut the mic off was to stop a circus, it’s a parliament, not a circus,” she said.

“Politics is a serious business and Nigel Farage has used the platform of our parliament to destroy the European Union.

“If by doing what I did reinforces the dignity of the parliament, that’s my job.

“I would say that afterwards, some of the people in his grouping came over and said that they disliked what he did and that he did it.

“When you’re not in the chamber it can be hard to judge the moment, but I have to judge the moment carefully, and we have a rule in the house that no flags are to be shown except the two behind the podium, and the president insists on that, and I’m under orders.”

Not the last of Farage 

On whether she would miss Farage in the parliament, McGuinness said Europe should be worried that this is not the end of Farage.

“I don’t think I’ve seen the back of him. Because I think he’s going to continue, just not in the European Parliament,” she said. 

“If you listen to what Nigel Farage says, he’s not going to stop now, he’s not retiring, he’s going to keep going not just in the UK but right throughout the European Union, so the challenge we face might be greater from a European perspective.

“I’m sure Nigel doesn’t care whether I miss him or not. On the wider level I think we’ll miss the UK colleagues hugely, particularly those who are from the pro-European parties.”

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    Mute Sea Graham
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:37 AM

    And now begins another countdown. How long before we are reading about the first racist attack in england by the neanderthal faction that thinks this gives them free reign to expel people that don’t fit their idea of a brit?

    279
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:39 AM

    @Sea Graham: don’t get too excited give it time and your wish might come true. But there has been racist attacks in Britain long before they left the eu you do know that yes?

    118
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    Mute Ebeneezer Goode
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:41 AM

    @Sea Graham: Racist attacks happen daily in the UK. And to be honest, it’s a growing problem in Ireland too. I witness racist language used regularly at work. Brexit has emboldened racists.

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    Mute Sea Graham
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:07 AM

    @Ebeneezer Goode: oh I’m fully aware but this is a catalyst to make it worse. Cast your mind back to the news reports the day Brexit passed in England.

    29
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    Mute Martin O'Reilly
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:29 AM

    @Sea Graham: Farage is fascist moron. Resembles some kind of Month Python sketch!

    22
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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:35 PM

    @Sea Graham: their sovereign right

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:37 AM

    How in the name of god did that woman get where she is I wonder ? Good on Nigelsick old head on her hahaha day it all about Europe when your not allowed show the flag of your country in parliament

    210
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    Mute Sea Graham
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:44 AM

    @Damien Barton: she was right to to what she did. He wasn’t “showing” his flag, he was just being his usual D head attention seeking self.

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    Mute Ebeneezer Goode
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:48 AM

    @Damien Barton: Don’t worry Damien, as oul Vera used to say, we’ll meet again!

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:57 AM

    @Damien Barton: we have political parties in the 26 county state that where once called west Brits now no longer have any loyalty towards Britain but have become west Europeans its amazing how things gravy train comes to mind.

    47
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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:57 AM

    @Bobby wilson: what a ridiculous, fatuous comment.

    59
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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 9:00 AM

    @Damien Barton: she is an outstanding politician who is virtuous in her beliefs. I’m so glad there are people like her that stand up to the uneducated and crass attitudes that are all too common in this country.

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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Feb 1st 2020, 9:14 AM

    @Ro-your-nan: She’s the loud mouth from Louth Cant stand the women If she’s on question time or C4 news i turn it over . She comes across as a very pushy slightly rude school head mistress talking down to people . She must get a lot of flak on twitter as she’s toned it down a bit in the last few months

    65
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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 9:26 AM

    @Robert Preston: I think she is excellent: super articulate and stands up against bigotry and xenophobia. She is a credit to this country in Europe and is an example to the Northern Irish politicians on how to behave.

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:00 AM

    @Ro-your-nan: in what way is she outstanding ?

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:01 AM

    @Ebeneezer Goode: noting else strange?

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    Mute Helen Leahy
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:39 AM

    @Damien Barton: she’s an MEP a long time, is sharp, educated and articulate. She’s Vice President purely on merit and doesn’t suffer fools like Farage gladly.

    46
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:56 AM

    @Helen Leahy: she doesn’t suffer anyone showing up here eu for wat it is a farce

    23
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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 1:48 PM

    @Damien Barton: What a fascinating world view you have – you sound extremely sophisticated and knowledgeable. Tell us more.

    7
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:06 PM

    @Damien Barton: Its Its The european Parliament and thats what there they are there to do. The are plenty of places in the parliament buildings showing all the flags but its not allowed in the chamber itself.
    Simple enough and correct,they are there as Europeans and thats where their focus should be.

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    Mute Jose Luis
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    Feb 1st 2020, 4:05 PM

    @Sea Graham: Yes she was utterly right that place is not the circus of that clown, well done by her

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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Feb 1st 2020, 6:03 PM

    @Ro-your-nan: Oh jesus give here a blue peter medal . She’s bloody rude and i dont like here What has she done to make her excellent Are you related to her or do you fancy her

    9
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:08 PM

    @Ro-your-nan: aww not at all it’s just your really really stupid that’s all

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:10 PM

    There not Europeans do anymore so they can fly the flag of the country then . I taught Europe was all about inclusion and open boarders ?

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:10 PM

    @Robert Preston: well said

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 11:40 PM

    @Damien Barton: you’re

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 1st 2020, 11:42 PM

    @Robert Preston: so simple. Attack ideas not people.

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    Mute The Equalizer
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:45 AM

    Rte should should have shown some of nigels speech which led to her response, I wonder if Nigel will be surrendering his 250k pension from his hated former employer

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    Mute Olivia Smith
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:45 AM

    @The Equalizer: They did. It was on the 6 news

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    Mute The Equalizer
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:59 AM

    @Olivia Smith: briefly

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    Mute Olivia Smith
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    Feb 1st 2020, 9:24 AM

    @The Equalizer: And? It showed him and his flag talking crap. They showed it did they not? You said they didn’t. Have you not fully woken up yet?

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    Mute Martin O'Reilly
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:35 AM

    @Olivia Smith: What were his, their choices. Off they go!

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    Mute Olivia Smith
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    Feb 1st 2020, 12:06 PM

    @Martin O’Reilly: What?

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    Mute Olivia Smith
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    Feb 1st 2020, 12:31 PM

    @Martin O’Reilly: Sorry, I get it now. Yes and don’t let the door smack them on the way.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:07 PM

    @The Equalizer: Nope he likes the money

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    Mute Jose Luis
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    Feb 1st 2020, 4:10 PM

    @The Equalizer: you forgot the day that he call for a demonstration and meters away from start he left his zombies and went for a pint

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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:08 AM

    Jaysus he was only having the craic

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    Mute sam
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    Feb 1st 2020, 1:08 PM

    @Liam Mc Meel: it’s pretty serious though. You wouldn’t do that at a funeral, likewise.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:09 PM

    @Liam Mc Meel: An EU parliamentary session after a EU changing vote is not the time nor the place for the craic.

    12
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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:18 AM

    The little dictator Mairead buzzing on the power,
    Fair play to the Brits breaking away from the money lending gangsters,
    The EU Mafia will be back over here squeezing us for more to pay for their immoral salaries and pensions,
    While we now live to work
    Instead of work to live,

    129
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    Mute White Rabbit
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    Feb 1st 2020, 2:37 PM

    @John fitzpatrick: before the EU we weren’t working at all

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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Feb 1st 2020, 6:06 PM

    @White Rabbit: Before the EU we had the common market The whole country was working what are you on ? You need a history lesson

    22
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    Mute Raymond Power
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:42 AM

    “not a circus” but apparently bollocks to brexit t- shirts are no problem.

    76
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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:09 AM

    If we only had a Nigel Farage who put his country first I would vote for him in a heartbeat
    instead of the clowns we have that put themselves first squatting in Kildare Street with their heads stuck in the trough,

    109
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    Mute SouperArlene
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:35 AM

    Well your beloved Gemma O’Doherty is running as an independent candidate (as ACI is still not registered as a political party) in the Dublin Fingal constituency, in the 2020 Irish general election.

    She’s the worst of Farage combined with the worst of Donald Trump, so you should be well covered.

    38
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    Mute Bill ORourke
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:25 AM

    Have a foreboding that this could backfire on us because life is a funny auld game and Mairead will be safely ensconced somewhere sunny when were begging king William for another bailout

    45
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    Mute John Quill
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    Feb 1st 2020, 9:16 AM

    The thing I like the least about Farage is that he’s just a con artist . He couldn’t give a monkeys about British sovereignty, it’s all a pantomime with him

    73
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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Feb 1st 2020, 10:07 AM

    @John Quill: hes all that but the British electorate didn’t see through him and voted to leave based on his rhetoric. Makes you wonder about that portion of the electorate…

    23
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    Mute Tom Thumb
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:08 AM

    As much as I think Farage is an awful human being,and that flag waving stunt was an embarrassment to their country,I’m pretty sure a woman who voted to allow migrants to drown has no moral high ground here.

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    Mute acallkelly
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    Feb 1st 2020, 2:28 PM

    @Tom Thumb: ridiculous comment to make, migrants getting a boat organised by people smugglers is where your concerns should lie, not with Europe

    21
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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:45 PM

    Whether it is Nigel or another who provided meaningful opposition in the EU parliament, the UK have highlighted how undemocratic the EU is.

    The EU will not consider change or question itself even when their second biggest contributer decides to leave democratically.

    All EU members should demand a review of how this happened.

    Financially, the EU is in major trouble once the city of London halts its services

    19
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    Mute Ron Ashenden
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:59 AM

    Nigel Farage is the most obnoxious man it had nothing better to say he is so wrong every account

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    Mute Pat Coyne
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    Feb 1st 2020, 7:41 AM

    Every dog has it’s day.

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    Mute Sea Graham
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    Feb 1st 2020, 8:12 AM

    @Pat Coyne: the dog that is Nige is only good for two things. Licking his b****x and chasing the stick he thinks is the British “Empire”

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    Mute Pat Coyne
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    Feb 1st 2020, 11:57 AM

    @Sea Graham: British people in a democrat election voted to leave the European Union and to elect Boris Johnson.

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    Mute 829nza
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    Feb 1st 2020, 12:15 PM

    @Pat Coyne: based on lies, anti immigration, and dreams of the “Empire” that once was. They were duped!

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:11 PM

    @Pat Coyne: German people voted in Hitler too and look how that went

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Feb 1st 2020, 12:30 PM

    I was delighted Mairead shut him up , I would have done the same to this obnoxious man.

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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Feb 1st 2020, 2:07 PM

    Bovver boy who starts a fight but is super fast at running away from it.

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 12:39 AM

    Mairead McGuinness was chairperson and she showed what the EU/EC/ECB is … petty and small minded.

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    Mute Shirley Cameron
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    Feb 1st 2020, 11:51 AM

    Well said .

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    Mute Pen Name
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    Feb 1st 2020, 6:02 PM

    “If by doing what I did reinforces the dignity of the parliament, that’s my job.”

    Dignity isn’t a word I’d associate with the EP. It’s a fake parliament really, not a legislature in the normal sense. Just days ago it voted in favour of the Brexit withdrawal agreement but it wasn’t binding. Why bother? They go through the motions of what normal parliaments do.

    Here manner was more sneering than dignified.

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    Mute Margaret Kane
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    Feb 1st 2020, 12:19 PM

    Farage is nothing but a over aged yob

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    Mute Jose Luis
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    Feb 1st 2020, 4:02 PM

    It’s very simple Farage is 100% real SOB

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    Mute Jimmy Carroll
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:55 AM

    There goes free speech, bonaparte, Kaiser Willim, and adolph Hitler failed to rule us,we sold our souls to EEC/EU, a few pounds/punts/euros best of Irish luck to our neighbour’s

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 1st 2020, 3:12 PM

    She did what she had to do a vice president and it was a lovely put down. Showed the little idiot up for what he is.

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    Mute Ian Hester
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    Feb 1st 2020, 11:10 AM

    he is modeling himself on Sid Vicious ..the punk band that sang “god save the queen” … suffering from Attention deficit seeking disorder….by the way we Irish are not shy about flag waving as well!

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    Mute Ah hold on now
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 9:46 AM

    When they look back in history at Nigel Waving his plastic flag I’m sure the British public will be very proud of this moment. Like when you make a speech in front of thousands of people and realise your fly was undone,

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