Brexit vote: Bitter exchanges as EU parliament debates Brexit
The European parliament's first debate on the UK's vote to leave has been marked by bitter exchanges.
A central figure in the Leave campaign, UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage, was booed, called a liar and accused of using "Nazi propaganda".
Mr Farage shot back that the European Union itself was "in denial" as a political project.
He said hardly any of the MEPs had ever done a proper job in their lives, or created one.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Brussels for his first meeting with EU leaders since Thursday's referendum.
He is stepping down, saying it will be up to his successor to trigger the formal method by which the country leaves the EU, and to conduct exit negotiations.
The European Parliament voted in favour of a motion urging the UK to do so immediately, by triggering Article 50.
Opening the session in parliament, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the British government should "clarify" its position.
Mr Juncker said the will of the British people must be respected, prompting shouting and clapping from Mr Farage.
"You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favour of the exit - why are you here?" Mr Juncker responded, to applause from others in parliament.
He also accused Mr Farage of lying about using the UK's EU contributions to fund the country's National Health Service, saying he had "fabricated reality".
Others went much further. Belgian ex-Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who leads the liberal group in the European parliament, said Mr Farage had used "Nazi propaganda" in the campaign, referring to a poster showing lines of refugees.
"Finally we are going to get rid of the biggest waste in the EU budget, which we have paid for 17 years, your salary!" he told Mr Farage.
In a veiled condemnation of Leave campaigner Boris Johnson, a likely contender to be the next British Prime Minister, Mr Verhofstadt also attacked "the selfishness of one man prepared to do anything to become the prime minister of the UK".
Source: bbc.com
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