The 70s musician turned activist said that while he believes Brexit is a “serious mistake” he “completely understands” frustrations Leave voters have with the bloc. Mr Geldof, who was a prominent Remain campaigner in the run up to the 2016 referendum, also praised the Irish government’s handling of negotiations as he slammed the current Tory government as the worst he had ever seen. The ex-Boomtown Rats lead singer also said he thought Brexit was a direct result of a rise in English nationalism.
Speaking after receiving an honorary doctorate at the University of Limerick, Mr Geldof said he was “passionately against” Brexit but demanded the EU be overhauled, condemning it as “not fit for purpose.”
The 67-year-old said: “It’s a properly serious mistake, though having said that I do completely do understand the other side of argument.
“I just think it’s not wrong necessarily, it’s just that the end result of that argument is not the correct way to go.”
Mr Geldof proposed there were “other, more positive ways” for Brexiters to get what they wanted.
He said: “My view is that Europe needs restructuring from top to bottom.
“That what the Leavers represent is basically what over 50% of the European electorate represent.”
“They are not happy with this post-war structure.
“There needs to be some new mandate fit for the 21st Century and a lot of the institutions of the EU simply aren’t fit for purpose for this century.”
The Live Aid organiser said he admired the Irish government’s handling of Brexit while launching a scathing attack on Theresa May.
He said: “I think that the Irish Parliament and government have been handling this eloquently, almost in direct contrast to the chaos and nonsense of what is clearly the worst British Government in my life – incapable, inept.
“Over here you get patience, compromise, reasons, sympathy, and it’s handled really well.”
Finally Mr Geldof, who was given an honorary knighthood in 1986, meaning he can use the letters KBE after his name but not officially be referred to as ‘Sir Bob’, said blamed Brexit on English nationalism.
He added: ““Brexit is an expression of English nationalism and I can’t stand nationalism. In Ireland we know where it leads to.
“The English could never be English, they could never wave their flag without being called a skinhead or fascist.”