Ukip MEPs turn their backs on the EU flag as they arrive in the European Parliament #TheElitePartyInJuly #IRepEntertain9jarBlog via @myentertain9jar

UK INDEPENDENCE Party MEPs turned their backs on the European Union Flag yesterday on arriving to take their seats in the European Parliament.

 

Ukip MEPs turned away from the flag in protest[AP]

The anti-Brussels party held a "march for freedom" to the assembly's first session since the euro elections last month.

And as the European anthem was played at the beginning of the parliamentary session in Strasbourg, Ukip MEPs stood up and turned away from the blue-and-gold EU flag in a protest against Brussels rule over Britain.

Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall said: "We don't recognise or respect the EU flag or anthem.

Paul Nuttall said that Ukip stand up for their people, not the EU flag [PA]

We don't recognise or respect the EU flag or anthem

Paul Nuttall, Ukip deputy leader

"They are both symbols of our servitude inside a political union which the British people reject.

"We will do everything we can in European Parliament to oppose the federalist system which ignores our national democracy and pushes millions of people across Europe into poverty and unemployment.

"We stand up for our people, not the EU flag and anthem.

"National democracy and EU membership are incompatible.

"We will do everything we can to free ourselves from this corrupt institution."

The Ukip group included new MEPs elected as the party topped the poll in Britain at the euro elections last month for the first time.