Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, is to meet the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, next Monday, and has stated that he is keen to involve the 17.4 million British people who voted for Brexit. Accordingly, he has issued a short video, requesting people suggest topics using the hashtag #AskBarnier.



“A procession of people have been to see Monsieur Barnier,” says Farage. “The remoaners: Lord Adonis, Ken Clarke, and of course, Sir Nick Clegg. And I thought, who is in there representing the views of the 17.4 million people? Nobody. I want to involve you. I want you to ask your questions directly to Michel Barnier . So, respond. Give me your name, give me your hometown, give me one question. I’ll pick the best three.”

I'm meeting EU chief negotiator @MichelBarnier on Monday and I want to involve the 17.4m. Send me your questions below using #AskBarnier. pic.twitter.com/u04mg2UxTD — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 4, 2018





Social media users – who may, it appears, not necessarily all be sincere leave voters – have reacted to the hashtag with a series of questions that are unlikely to make the cut.

This one, for example, about the motivations behind Brexit, may be too uncomfortable for the meeting.

Mr Barnier, Why would a group of rich tax dodgers, shady tech billionaires, nom dom press barons, intelligence chiefs in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, and Russian oligarchs want the UK to leave the EU, just as you close tax loop holes? I'm stumped. #AskBarnier — Tim Concannon (@TimCWrites) January 4, 2018

Some questions alluded to the claims of some Brexit supporters, that Britain held all the cards in the negotiations.

Why does Mr. Barnier continuously and successfully defend the interests of the EU27, rather than simply submitting to every whim, preference and self-imposed red line of UKGov? Has he even the faintest idea who we are?#AskBarnier #Eulalie — Steve Bullock (@GuitarMoog) January 4, 2018

#AskBarnier Are you surprised at how weak the UK negotiators have been? They seem to have rolled over on every one of your demands. — MintyBloke (@Mintybloke) January 5, 2018

A Twitter user also asked about Farage’s attendance at a rally by Germany’s far-right AfD party.

#AskBarnier to patiently explain to you why it’s a bit Hitlery to speak at a far right rally in Germany. — James Felton (@JimMFelton) January 4, 2018

His mysterious visit to see Julian Assange cropped up.

#AskBarnier What do you think Nigel was up to when he was sneaking in and out of the Ecuadorean embassy last year? — John Rees (@john_rees) January 5, 2018

The former Ukip leader’s low attendence rates as an MEP were called into question.

#AskBarnier why does Nigel Farage have one of the worst attendances rates of the European Parliament? — Marc Tessier-Ashpool (@lastcyberpunk) January 4, 2018

Several referred to Farage’s claims of being in a precarious financial situation – and the cost of his EU pension to the British taxpayer after Brexit.

#AskBarnier if you can claim your expenses back for attending the meeting, you being so broke and all that. — Simon Bye 🇪🇺🇬🇧 #FBPE (@SW11simon) January 5, 2018

#AskBarnier If it's ok to forgo your EU pension, so as to reduce the UK's exit bill, y'know, as a patriot and all. — Pawelek (@PILeach) January 5, 2018

Some pointed to Farage’s seven failed attempts at being elected as an MP.

#AskBarnier what it feels like to win a seat in a general election — Oisin (@OisinDubai) January 4, 2018

#AskBarnier what it feels like to hold a great office of state as Foreign Minister of France



Is it better than being runner up in Thanet in a general election? — Oisin (@OisinDubai) January 4, 2018

It was unkindly pointed out that in one election Farage lost to an independent candidate in a dolphin suit.

#AskBarnier



Ask Nigel what it's like to lose to a dolphin at an election. pic.twitter.com/xKZtoT24vH — SID64 (@ZXretroXX) January 4, 2018

Some questioned the point of the exercise.

#AskBarnier Why are you wasting your valuable time taking a meeting with Nigel Farage? — Gráinne McEntee #FBPEU (@pongosapien) January 4, 2018

James McGrory, executive director of Open Britain, said: “Sending Nigel Farage to Brussels to sort out Brexit is like sending an arsonist to put out a house fire.



“After years of poisoning our politics, telling outright lies about the EU and cosying up to Trump, he has already done enough damage to our country and our international standing.

“He has no answers to the costs and complexity of Brexit, other than to blithely say we should walk away with no deal, which would be an unmitigated disaster for our economy and our country.”

The meeting comes as a result of an open letter Farage sent to Barnier in October, stating: “Dear Monsieur Barnier, as you appear to be conducting a series of meetings with UK political figures on the issue of Brexit.

“It seems that you are listening to a group of people who want to stop or delay Brexit. I will come to speak for the 17.4 million who did not vote for a transition deal or any further delays and whose resolve is getting stronger.”