FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The firebrand leader tore into Brussels during a jaw-dropping speech to the EU parliament in Brussels, in which he accused euro representatives of being “prejudiced” against his country. In an attack on EU political correctness he raged: “We are really irritated by the verbal strait jacket which stops us from calling a spade a spade and this kind of talk has become very common in European public life recently.”

Today the EU Commission decided to open infringement proceedings against Budapest over changes to its higher education laws which critics say are designed to shut down a university owned by financier George Soros. Eurocrats are also considering following suit on proposed legal changes to policies on migration, funding of NGOs and media plurality which they believe contravene European Union law.

GETTY Viktor Orban heavily criticised the EU in his speech to parliament today

GETTY Mr Orban's speech prompted a furious response from MEPs

Hitting back today, Mr Orban ridiculed the EU’s “spectacular and embarrassing” judgements about his country in the past which did "not stand the test of time" and accused MEPs of “condemning us on untruths”. He blasted: “Fairness is not a question of the size of the country. Honourable members, I’ve come here to defend my country. This situation is really absurd. “It’s almost like someone being accused of murder and being convicted even whilst the alleged victim is alive and kicking. “Hungary and the Hungarian government is committed to the EU and this is unquestionable. “However, in many aspects we are unhappy with how the EU works. When we criticise your EU it’s because we want to correct these mistakes and we want to reform the EU. “It’s our conviction that this is the only way to regain people’s confidence towards EU institutions.”

EbS MEPs looked on with glum faces as the Hungarian PM gave his speech

EbS Afterwards they lined up to attack Mr Orban over his words

I’ve come here to defend my country. This situation is really absurd. Viktor Orban

He raged: “If you manage to overcome your prejudices towards us you will find fresh, critical and innovative thinking behind them. This is exactly what lies behind the successes of Hungary.” Mr Orban said that he believed the EU was overstepping its legal remit by trying to impose migrant quotas on Hungary, saying: “We reserve ourselves the right to decide who we share Hungary with who we live together with.” And he added: “It is also true, I won’t deny this, that our vision of Europe is of a Europe built on strong member states. “If you don’t like our position, come forward with reasoned arguments but don’t judge us and condemn us because we have our own opinion. “Hungary is a proud country, we have always been committed to European Christian values.”

Powerful images as migrants protest in Hungary Tue, April 4, 2017 Migrants protest outside Budapest's Keleti Railway Station after it was closed off by police to prevent people travelling on to western Europe Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 53 A migrant taunts Hungarian riot police as they fire tear gas and water cannon on the Serbian side of the border, near Roszke