Farage behaves like school bully

12.00.00am GMT Mon 1st Mar 2010

Today Catherine Bearder MEP wrote a letter to the Independent on Nigel Farage's outburst in the European Parliament against President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy. Please see below for the full text:

This week Nigel Farage sunk to a new low. His personal attack against Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, was more akin to the school yard tyrant than an elected Parliamentarian.

Parliament is a forum for different views and this is its strength. It's through constructive debate and hearing all sides of an argument that we come to decisions. We may disagree but it's important that views are respected.

In attacking Mr van Rompuy, a guest in our parliament Mr Farage showed no respect for Parliament. Mr Farage may claim to speak for the British people, but most of his voters would reprimand their own children were they to speak to a guest in such a way.

Mr Farage's cynical swipe at Belgium, Britain's neighbour, friend and ally, also revealed the sordid underbelly of a party recently described by its leader as only separated by a "thin line" from the BNP.

Criticising a person for their actions is acceptable and necessary in order to invite change. Criticising a person on their nationality and appearance is the act of a bully.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Bearder MEP