LABOUR politician Chuka Umunna has branded Ukip leader Nigel Farage as a “Putin apologist” in a live debate on Britain’s membership of the European Union.
SLAMMED: Umunna brandished Farage a 'Putin apologist'
Nigel Farage and Chuka Umunna clashed on the issue after the Ukip leader claimed "5,000 jihadi fighters" have entered Europe over the past 15 months because of the mirant crisis and the free movement of people.
He then went on to claim the European Union has expansionist plans with a new "EU Army".
But Umunna hit back, accusing Farage of being a "fan and apologist for Putin" and said Britain would have a veto for any plans of an EU Army.
Mr Farage said: “The problem is this, the boss of Europol said now up to 5,000 potential jihadi fighters have entered EU on the course of last 15 months.
“That's his estimate. The boss of Interpol says you may as well have put up a sign saying jihadis welcome.
“When ISIS says they are using this crisis to flood the continent we should believe them.
“We are not immune from this but are we safer without the free movement and my concern is the unchecked people in Germany will have passports.
“We wouldn't be isolated but safer.
“Free movement of people has been a disaster.
“Angela Merkel made the biggest policy errors in modern times.
“She said please come as many of you want to come we will accept. And they came.
“Not one was background checked.
“Very few would qualify as refugees under the Geneva Convention.”
Pro-Brussels MP Umunna insisted refugees would not be granted freedom of movement status if Britain remains in the EU.
Mr Umunna said: “Global terror knows no borders this is something you have to deal with across borders.
“I do not believe for one moment these people coming in from Syria will end up as EU citizens. If they became EU citizens Nigel’s argument is they will get passports and come to the UK.
“Free movement doesn't apply to refugees that's not how the rules work.”
The clash came during the live referendum debate held this noon by Daily Star Online and Express.co.uk.
The Ukip leader joined Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and Labour's Kate Hoey to fight the corner for Vote Leave.
Labour MPs Chuka Umunna and Siobhan McDonagh teamed up with Innocent Smoothies co-founder Richard Reed to represent the Vote Remain camp.
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