The Prime Minister has been denounced as a “chicken” today by the UK Independence Party after cancelling a scheduled meeting with the party’s leader Nigel Farage.

Mr. Cameron was scheduled to meet with European Parliament group leaders – Mr. Farage included – tomorrow in Brussels.

https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/699215744849072128

But Number 10 Downing Street announced this morning that Mr. Cameron was changing said meetings, instead opting to meet with cherry-picked individuals, including those from the Socialist group in the European Parliament.

But he snubbed Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group leader Nigel Farage, as well as Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) leader Marine Le Pen, claiming “time constraints”.

https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/699215906363305984

The incident will bring to mind Mr. Cameron’s reluctance to debate Mr. Farage ahead of the British General Election last night, instead opting to dilute the party leaders’ debate by adding Scottish Nationalist Nicola Sturgeon, and Welsh representative Leanne Wood.

Mr. Farage said today: “The Prime Minister is chicken. I received my official documentation this morning to say that I was one of several meeting the PM tomorrow morning and he has now run away. Frankly I’m not surprised. Not only is the deal pitiful but he would not want me exposing the fact that even if he wins the referendum, the European Parliament will veto it.

“UKIP won the European Elections in 2014. By refusing to meet me Mr. Cameron is insulting millions of British voters. He knows he’s losing.”

The Prime Minster is now spending the time meeting only the President of the Parliament and three staunchly pro-EU MEPs, Guy Verhofstadt (Liberal), Roberto Gualieri (Socialist) and Elmar Brok (Centrist).

As Leader of the party that won the European Elections, @David_Cameron is insulting millions of British people by refusing to meet me. — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) February 15, 2016

Journalists have noted how the appointment was already down in the agenda of the European Parliament. The cancellation has caused a wave of mockery of the Prime Minister online.

PM was down to meet with Farage and others at the EU Parliament tomorrow. Now, he's busy……… pic.twitter.com/rf8IGLE02X — Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) February 15, 2016

The Prime Minister is due to discuss his EU “renegotiation” deal tomorrow, with the hope of getting the back of other EU member states.