The leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament (EPP, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and GUE/NGL) firmly condemn the insulting remarks directed at Martin Schulz, leader of the socialist group, this morning by a Member of the UK Independence Party during Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg.

"We can never accept that Members of the European Parliament insult their colleagues in a way that recalls the worst hours of our history."

"In this time of serious economic and social crisis affecting the whole of the European Union, solidarity and dignity are more than ever needed from the representatives of the peoples of Europe," stated Joseph Daul, Guy Verhofstadt, Rebecca Harms and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Michal Kaminski, Lothar Bisky.

The leaders of the various political groups asked President Buzek to impose a severe sanction on the MEP concerned, Mr. Godfrey Bloom.

Joseph Daul                                                 EPP

Guy Verhofstadt                                          ALDE

Rebecca Harms / Daniel Cohn-Bendit     Greens/EFA

Michal Kaminski                                          ECR

Lothar Bisky                                                GUE/NGL