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Watch: Brexit party MEPs turn their backs on the EU anthem

Today was a big day for Nigel Farage’s band of Brexit party MEPs. After 29 of the Brexiteers won their seats in the EU elections in May, they finally headed to Strasbourg today, to take their places in the European Parliament.

But it appears that while the party may now be part of the European elite, they haven’t quite signed up to the ideals of the European project in spirit.

As the new batch of 751 MEPs were sworn in this morning to open the inaugural sitting of the European Parliament term, a stirring rendition of the EU’s anthem, Ode to Joy, was played from the centre of the Chamber.

And while there was the usual showing of solidarity, with MEPs standing to listen to the anthem, one party were not playing along. Instead, Brexit party MEPs stood up, and turned their backs on the music in a show of defiance.

Watch here:

Mr S suspects this won’t go down well in Strasbourg…

Meanwhile, the newly-elected Liberal Democrat MEPs decided to pull their own stunt as they arrived at the Parliament building this morning.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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