'Who are you?' Nigel Farage issues stinging takedown of Brussels mayor over conference row

Nigel Farage issued a stinging attack on a local Brussels mayor in the row over police attempting to shut down a right-wing conference.

Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, yesterday issued an order banning the National Conservatism event from taking place in the Belgian city due to concerns about public safety.

But the move sparked condemnation including from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Belgium’s premier Alexander De Croo.

Mr Kir took to X today to insist he pushed ahead with the ban due to fears about public order.

He said: “Being a Mayor means being a guarantor of public safety.

“My order banning this demonstration was based on an analysis by Ocam.

“My lack of sympathy for those who preach hatred is assumed but it is the maintenance of public order which motivated the ban.

“We are in a state of law. Justice has ruled, the event is maintained today.

“I have taken my responsibilities to prevent any overflow and I will remain vigilant as to how things unfold.”

But Mr Farage hit back: “Who are you? I’ve never heard of you. No one in Brussels has ever heard of you!”

Police attended the conference while the ex-Ukip leader was on stage giving a speech.

But instead of immediately closing down the event, where ex-home secretary Suella Braverman was also speaking, officers barricaded the entrance and allowed attendees to leave the building but not re-enter.

The second day of the conference kicked off today after a Brussels court overturned the decision to close it down.