The European Parliament greeted the speech of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker with loud jeers, prompting a hectic start to his speech. Mr Juncker was addressing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was making a speech on the future of Europe. Unidentified MEPs loudly heckled the European Commission chief as he started to speak, prompting Parliament leader Antonio Tajani to intervene.
The President of the European Parliament appeared to refer to the heckling MEPs as animals, after he told the raucous crowd: “We perhaps need a vet here in the room!”
After two minutes of delays, Mr Juncker was finally able to begin his speech, during which he called Brexit a “historical error and tragedy”.
He said: “We don’t want to punish the UK. We are not in an aggressive mood.
“The EU has to recognise that Britain starting in ’39 played a major role when it came to liberty and the freedom of this continent.
“We are grateful for that. Leaving is a tragedy, an historical error.”
Italian journalist David Carretta tweeted that Mr Tajani’s remarks were firmly directed at the group of Eurosceptic MEPs.
Mr Juncker claimed that chief negotiator Michel Barnier is moving toward an accord that can make the best of Brexit .
He insisted that the EU would accept the result of the British referendum and “make the best of it”.
During her speech to MEPs, Mrs Merkel described Brexit as a “deep wound” in the European Union.
However, she praised Michel Barnier for his handling of the tough negotiations.
The embattled German Chancellor also called for Europe to develop its own “real true European army”.
She said it was time to “take our fate fully into our own hands”.
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage called the German leader’s comments on a European army a “naked takeover bid”.