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The Ukip leader issued a stinging condemnation of the ill-thought “big, grand projects” of europhiles that have “sowed the seeds” of the EU’s destruction. Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr Farage expressed his hope a Brexit vote on June 23 would bring ”an end to this entire project”. He said the EU was now “not just bad for Britain” but “bad for the whole of Europe”.

In a withering verdict on the EU’s record of further integration between countries, Mr Farage blasted the euro single currency, the bloc’s expansion into former communist states, the EU’s freedom of movement rules and the role of eurocrats in the removal of elected leaders in Greece and Italy.

Having travelled to France overnight after his clash with David Cameron on ITV last night, he told MEPs it was “grand projects that have turned the tide of public opinion” against the EU. Mr Farage suggested the epitome of the EU’s delusion was the euro single currency. He said: “Through massive ambition and hubris you ploughed on and you allowed countries like Greece to join a currency they were never fit for. “And what's happening to Greece now? “They're facing the next bailout in probably July of this year and because you want to hold your project together you are forcing them bit by bit to become a third world country. “All I can say, frankly, is shame on you.”

EUROPARL.TV Nigel Farage delivered a stinging condemnation of the EU's 'grand projects'

I hope we are going to leave this union on June 23 and so... I'm going out now, I may be some time. Nigel Farage

Mr Farage described Britain’s in/out referendum as “biggest event in the history of this project”. He said: “It's not just about whether Britain leaves the EU because if we make that choice, I'm confident many other countries will make that choice too.” Mr Farage said he came to realise the EU was harmful not just to Britain but to other European countries in 2005, when eurocrats “sneakily” brought in many of their plans for deepening integration via the “back door” of the Lisbon Treaty - despite the measures having been rejected by national votes in France and Holland. He added: “I hope on June 23 it isn't just independence day for the UK, I hope it brings an end to this entire project. “And in a few years time we can be sovereign, democratic nation states that work and trade together.”

Nigel Farage in pictures Mon, April 3, 2017 Nigel Farage is a British politician who has been the leader of the UK Independence Party since October 2016. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 48 Nigel Farage in pictures