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Peter Oborne forces EU ‘idiot’ to quit Newsnight
EU representative walks out after Daily Telegraph columnist repeatedly refers to ‘idiots in Brussels’
It's not every day that Jeremy Paxman finds himself upstaged on his own show. But that's exactly what happened on Newsnight last night when Peter Oborne insulted two fellow guests - prompting one of them to walk out.
The Daily Telegraph's political columnist, who is promoting Guilty Men - his pamphlet about the people who advocated Britain's entry into the euro - was invited on the show to discuss the troubles facing the eurozone. However, he was unable to contain himself upon hearing Amadeu Altafaj-Tardio, a representative from the European Commission, talk about "a strong political response".
"This is mad actually... he doesn't know what he's talking about," Oborne retorted. "These guys are in total denial. It's terribly frightening listening to those idiots in Brussels."
Oborne called the spokesman an idiot three more times before the EU man finally unclipped his microphone and left the studio in Brussels.
Another guest on the show, former Financial Times editor Richard Lambert, also got an earful. Oborne thrust a copy of his pamphlet at him - accusing him of being one of the 'guilty men' who would have led Britain into the EU. At this point, Lambert asks Paxman: "Have we had quite enough of this rubbish please?" ·
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I should add that the Euro does not have to finance the wargames in Iraq and Afghanistan to show that the Prime Minister is a leader. Such luxuries the UK does not need.
Not being in the Euro has cost the UK billions in exchange fees paid to banks with each sip of claret. UK could have got in at £1 = 1.5 euros. The pound gets a lot less now. Politically the decision to stay out was a vote winner which explains why the UK ducked out but it was an expensive decision for the British public. With editors like Mr. Osborne about they may never find out. A triumph of political stupidity over economic good sense.
Much as I agreed with pretty much everything Oborne said, I agree with Paxman: the ad hominem attacks simply led to the "idiot" walking out, when it would have been much better to keep him there and hold him to account. Paxman should have spoken up earlier.
@James Morley That is a silly comparison. US have regulations also. You should be comparing with the number of words in the Lisbon Treaty for example. Or take our own constitution, zero words, hence we are in such a mess and run by blah blah politicians and lawyers who literally make it up as they go along.
It's about time someone calls B.S. on the Save-the-System crowd. Well done Mr. Oborne. Government spending cuts are upon us, by choice or by currency rejection. All debt gets reconciled, by payment or default. Kudos to Newsnight for running this article.
I am sure most of you have seen these figures, but just in case...
US Constitution, with all Amendments, 7,818 words
EU regulations on the sale of cabbage, 26, 911 words
That says it all!
By the way sayeed, you cannot insult an idiot.
It is disgraceful about the way Mr. Oborne insulted his guests. It doesn't portray the good nature of British value to Europe or to the rest of the world. It is good to debate, discuss various points with your counterparts and also with people against your views but insulting and calling names are acting like primitive beast. I am a regular viewer of Newsnight, I think, last night Mr. Paxman lost his grip on the program. Mr. Oborne should had been cautioned and BBC should have apologized to the guest.
We don't need idiot like Mr. oborne ruining the good name of British nature in Europe.
Oborne was rude and right.
Excellent work by Oborne and excellent moderation by Paxo. What needed to be heard got said.