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The former Ukip leader’s endorsement is set to stoke tensions between the pair who are frequently at loggerheads. Ukip’s Mr Farage previously branded the former Belgian prime minister a "fanatic" and said the EU had “declared war” on Britain by his appointing him as chief Brexit negotiator. The former Belgian prime minister is no stranger to ruffling feathers across the English Channel. WHO IS GUY VERHOFSTADT?

GETTY Nigel Farage has called for Guy Verhofstadt to be President

GETTY Mr Verhofstadt leads a liberal bloc of parties in the EU Parliament

THE BREXITEERS Sun, January 17, 2016 Brexit: Independent experts have drawn up a list of the most influential people on Brexit Play slideshow 1 of 51

Guy Verhofstadt previously attempted to revive controversial proposals for an EU President, which were shelved when plans for a European Constitution were abandoned amid a mass outcry in 2004. He described David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Mr Farage as “rats fleeing a sinking ship” following their resignations after Britain voted to cut ties with Brussels club. The 63-year-old EU veteran has already made a number of inflammatory remarks about Britain's decision to leave the EU, launching a six-point plan to take advantage of Brexit and create a European superstate. Under his proposal individual member states would be scrapped and Europe would move towards a republican form of governance based on the system used in the United States.

GETTY The MEP has a reputation as a staunch federalist

He has also said that Scotland should be allowed to stay in the EU independent of the rest of the UK, despite several senior European leaders categorically ruling such a scenario out. Under his hardline position, Mr Verhofstadt has insisted the UK cannot have access to the single market without accepting freedom of movement.

GETTY Nigel Farage has called for the former Belgian PM to be president