Labour MEPs condemn Lib Dem support for Le Pen - 2009-03-25

Labour MEPs are outraged that a Holocaust denier could preside over the opening session of the European Parliament in June 2009 and are concerned that Graham Watson, the Liberal Democrat MEP and Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, is opposing changes to stop Le Pen taking centre stage at the inaugural session.

Labour MEPs are demanding a rule change to prevent Jean-Marie Le Pen, a convicted Holocaust denier, from serving as the chair for the Parliament's opening session in July. Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is 80 years old, may well be re-elected to the Parliament as part of France's National Front party. As the oldest Member of the Parliament, Le Pen would then serve as the chair of the opening session.

Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe, said: "I am outraged that a Holocaust denier could preside over the opening session of the European Parliament and will work with our political partners to stop him."

Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson has already said he opposes the change. "There is no reason we should treat Mr. Le Pen differently from others," he claimed, "even if we hate his politics."

Glenis Willmott MEP commented: "I am shocked that Graham Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat MEPs, does not see the need to stop Le Pen from being given a platform for a lengthy speech and media coverage. Le Pen is not an MEP like any other. Le Pen has been accused of being anti-Semitic and has been convicted by several courts for Holocaust denial. This Parliament was founded after Europe lay in ruins because of Fascism. We should not allow Le Pen to use the European Parliament for spread his foul views."

Only today, Le Pen repeated his view in the European Parliament that "the gas chambers were a detail of history".

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