Nigel Farage BRANDS peers ‘UTTER DISGRACE’ after anti-Brexit vote in Lords
NIGEL FARAGE described the House of Lords as a “complete and utter disgrace” after peers defeated the Government on a key piece of Brexit legislation.
Farage brands House of Lords 'DISGRACE' after Brexit vote
Nigel Farage called out pro-Europe peers after they voted to amend the EU Withdrawal Bill, which could see the UK remain in the customs union after leaving the European Union.
He gave his reaction live from Strasbourg, after the Brexit legislation was defeated.
Mr Farage said: “All I can say is the House of Lords is stuffed full of former MPs, party donors, and former European Commissioners.
“They are a London-based clique and most of them are mates of Blairs, and Camerons.
Nigel Farage calls Lords 'utter disgrace' after they voted against key Brexit legislation
The whole place is a complete and utter disgrace
“The whole place is a complete and utter disgrace.”
A cross-party alliance of Lords, including Tory rebels, put forward to the amendment to change the landmark legislation.
The Lords voted 348 to 225 in favour of looking again at staying in a customs union with the European Union.
In a significant defeat for the Government, the amendment – the first of a series of votes on the EU Withdrawal Bill – could force Prime Minister Theresa May to seek to establish a customs union-like arrangement with the EU to then report back to Parliament.
Lord Owen insists the Lords shouldn't get involved with Brexit
Despite the amendment's limited ability to change the government's policy, it is likely to reignite the debate over whether Britain is better off inside a newly-negotiated customs union or free to forge its own trade deals.
Pro-Brexit peers have reacted angrily to the vote, with former Conservative cabinet minister Lord Forsyth branding it “an attempt to create division and confusion" in the Commons.
He said: "What is going on here is an exercise by Remainers in the House who refuse to accept the verdict of the British people and I believe they are playing with fire."
Mr Farage added: “The sooner we close the whole shooting match down and replace it with the elected Senate the better.”