Barmy army? Ukip's defence spokesman labels 'single' EU military force plans as 'BONKERS'
UKIP’s defence spokesman claimed the EU’s plans to create a Europe-wide army was an elusive attempt to form a “super power”.
Bill Etheridge blasts 'BONKERS' EU army
Bill Etheridge labelled the idea “bonkers” as he told the crumbling bloc to “sort its economy out” before meddling with the idea.
Brussels politicians approved the creation of a single army across the continent in November, with the force expected to be up and running later this year.
The plans have come under huge criticism from British politicians and the US President Donald Trump alike.
Bill Etheridge said plans for an EU army were "bonkers"
It just shows they’re completely bonkers
The Republican vowed to rip funding from Nato unless EU army plans were dropped.
Such calls have been echoed by the Ukip defence spokesman, who said any such attempt to form a Brussels army would undermine Nato.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Etheridge quipped: “I actually love it when they talk about it because it just shows they’re completely bonkers.
The Ukip defence spokesman said the EU should "sort its economy out" first
“They’re going to compete with Nato are they? This is all part of their dream to be a super power - a European super power.
“They need to get on with getting their economy sorted out. Maybe withdrawing some of the regulation, withdrawing some of the mad politics.”
The Ukip MEP was adamant a European army was not necessary as he set out his party’s stance on the idea.
“A European army would not work, it is not required, we’ve got Nato at the moment, we’ve got strategical alliances we don’t need another set of command and control,” he continued.
“My policy would be withdrawal entirely from anything to do with this, complete withdrawal.”
In the run-up to the Brexit referendum, Remain campaigners, such as Nick Clegg, assured voters notions of an EU Army were a “dangerous fantasy”.
Plans for an EU army were dismissed as a "dangerous fantasy" during the Brexit referendum
Nick Clegg: Leave voters didn't know what they wanted
On a number of occasions, the former Liberal Democrat leader repeatedly denied the claims - and even branded Nigel Farage a “lair” for raising the issue.
However, during a talk earlier this month the Europhile seemingly changed tact as he admitted the EU was plotting to build its own force.
He told students at a university talk: "The United Kingdom is out, and then crucially what the European Union and what the UK do while they are separate.
“If we were to revisit this in 40 years time and in that meantime we have turned ourselves into some bargain basement off shore Dubai economy and the European Union has created an army then clearly it will be more tricky".