Nigel Farage was today accused of 'shocking disrespect' after turning his back on the EU's national anthem as the European Parliament was opened in France. The UKIP leader's public show of dissent came after the German socialist Martin Schulz was reappointed president of the European Parliament - in a shady 'backroom stitch up' sparking anger in Britain. Mr Schulz was backed by MEPs to carry on in the £213,000 a year role, despite the fact that his Socialist group lost May's European elections. Scroll down for video Nigel Farage and other UKIP MEPs turned their backs as an orchestra performed the European anthem in the European parliament in Strasbourg today
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UKIP leader joined his party's MEPs turning their backs as anthem played
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Party said they did not 'recognise or respect the EU flag or anthem'
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Comes after Martin Schulz chosen by MEPs to carry on as Parliament chief
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The vote was taken in secret today sparking accusations of EU 'carve up'
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Socialist MEP wants more power for Brussels over national Parliaments
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Schulz backed by supporters of Jean-Claude Juncker in 'backroom' deal
Mr Farage dismissed the election of European Parliament president @placeholder as a 'stitch up'
Mr Schulz has been the president, or speaker of the @placeholder assembly, since January 2012.