Watch here the FULL video EU debate from the European Parliament.
Dutch MEP Sophia in 't Veld reminded Ms Widdecombe that only 43% of UK voters chose the Brexit-supporting Tories in last month’s general election and that a “majority of the British people did not vote for a Brexit party”.
It triggered a seething response from Ms Widdecombe, who defected to the Brexit Party from the Tories last year before she was subsequently elected as an MEP.
She screamed: “17.4 million people, in the biggest democratic turnout in British history [in 2016], voted to Leave!”
#eudebates
“Why did Boris Johnson get such a massive majority in the last election? Because his basic promise was get Brexit done!”
Ms in 't Veld had been responding to an earlier speech by Ms Widdecombe during a debate about EU citizens’ rights in the UK after the 31 January departure date.
On free movement, she had said: “The ending of free movement was a massive factor in the British public’s decision to leave the EU.”
She went on: “The British people expect the British government to end free movement and do it in a way which is effective and not merely nominal.”
During the last session that British MEPs will partipate in, Dutch MEP Sophia In 't Veld stepped in to correct the Brexit Party stalwart on her claims that all of the British people wanted to leave the EU.
She raised the point of order after a ranting speech from Widdecombe during a debate about the rights of EU citizens as enshrined in the Withdrawal Agreement.
Widdecombe took issue with a clause in the EU's motion that stated the bloc "regrets" that the principle of free movement between the UK and the bloc will end.
She pointed out that freedom of movement was a "massive factor" in what she phrased as "the British public's decision" to leave the EU.
She accused the EU of "political myopia" around this and said: "The sooner this parliament wakes up to that, the sooner we will have the right sort of dialogue."
But In 'T Veld, who is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group, raised a key point of order against Widdecombe's claims about the British public.
She said: "Mrs Widdecombe, I hear you say 'the British people' want this or that.
"But isn't it true that only 43% of the people voted for your political agenda and it's only because of your electoral system that Mr Johnson has a majority of seats in parliament.
"The majority of people did not vote for a Brexit party. Isn't that true, Mrs Widdecombe?" she said, to applause.
Widdecombe shot back in characteristic bombastic style, saying: "17.4 million people in the biggest democratic turnout in British history voted to leave. We ended up in the European elections as the single biggest party in this parliament. Why? Why did Boris Johnson get such a massive majority in the last election? Because his basic promise was 'get Brexit done'."
In 't Veld could be seen making 'talk to the hand' gestures as Widdecombe responded.
Sophia in 't #Veld, Dutch MEP stand up for #Remainers against Ann #Widdecombe
#eudebates
#EuropeanParliament
#Brexit
#BrexitDebate
“A stupid measure”
“This is a stupid measure, launched the Liberal MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld (RE, Netherlands), no government has the right to take away rights from citizens “.
