PA Nigel Farage in the European Parliament

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The Ukip leader addressed MEPs for the first time since last week’s historic Leave vote in the EU referendum. The leading Brexit campaigner warned European politicians if they failed to cut a decent trade deal with the UK outside the EU the “consequences would be far worse for you than it would be for us”. Mr Farage also predicted how Britain would not be “will not be the last member state to leave the EU” as he accused top Brussels chiefs of being “in denial” about the state of the crisis-riddled bloc.

Recalling how he began his efforts to lead Britain out the EU by taking a seat in the European Parliament, Mr Farage said: “Isn’t it funny, when I came here 17-years-ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the EU you all laughed at me. “Well, you’re not laughing now. “You as a political project are in denial. You are in denial that your currency is failing, you are in denial that Mrs Merkel’s call last year for as many people as possible to cross the Mediterranean has led to massive decisions within countries. “But the main reason the UK voted out was that you have by stealth and by deception without ever telling the truth to the people of Europe continue to impose on them a political union.”

Mr Farage blasted the EU for disregarding the Dutch people after they voted against the proposed Constitution of Europe in 2005. He highlighted how EU leaders had “ignored them and brought the Lisbon Treaty through the back door.” Mr Farage said Britain’s vote to quit the EU now offered a “beacon of hope”. He said: "What happened last Thursday was a remarkable result. It was a seismic result, not just for British politics, but for European politics but perhaps even for global politics too, because what the little people did, what the ordinary people did, what the people who have been oppressed over the last few years and who have seen their living standards go down [did], they rejected the multinationals, they rejected the merchant banks, they rejected big politics. "And they said, actually, we want our country back. We want our fishing waters back. We want our borders back. And we want to be an independent, self-governing, normal nation and that is what we have done and that is what must happen. And in doing so we offer a beacon of hope to democrats across the rest of the European continent. I will make one prediction this morning; the United Kingdom will not be the last member state to leave the European Union."

PA The Ukip leader told EU bosses they are 'in denial'

Let us go off and fulfil our global ambitions and future Nigel Farage

Differing from other leading Brexit campaigners - such as ex-London mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove - Mr Farage said Britain should not “spend too long” before invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal process by which the UK will quit the bloc. British politicians and EU bosses are currently at loggerheads, with Brussels refusing to begin any informal talks over a new deal until the UK officially triggers Article 50. But David Cameron has said he will leave the decision of when to formally serve notice of Britain’s exit to the new prime minister, due to be elected by September 2.

EU referendum Thu, June 23, 2016 As the Brexit debate continues, we take a look at the Leave and Remain campaigns so far. Play slideshow 1 of 34

Mr Farage called for a “grown up and sensible” future relationship between Britain and the EU as he warned European politicians from acting in anger by trying to punish the UK for quitting. In a dig at the packed chamber of European politicians, he said: “I know that virtually none of you have done a proper job in your lives.” But he said there must be a “pragmatic” approach to agreeing a trade deal. He said: “If you were to cut off your noses to spite your face the consequences would be far worse for you than it would be for us”. Mr Farage warned “German car workers risk losing their jobs” if the EU fails to negotiate a deal with Britain. He said: “Let’s create between us a sensible tariff free deal.” “The UK will be your friend… we will be your best friends in the world”. But he urged the EU to “let us go off and fulfil our global ambitions and future” now that Britain has left the bloc.