MEP resigns in protest over homophobic statements.

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This journal has been mildly critical of two of the smaller groups in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives & Reformists (ECR) and the Europe of Freedom & Democracy (EFD), mainly because they have effectively marginalised the two centre-right British delegations by placing them on the periphery of EU politics. There has also been some speculation concerning the far-right backgrounds of certain members of both groups.

This latter factor has been the catalyst this week for the first split in the ranks of the EFD - the successor to the reformist Ind Dem group. Nicole Sinclaire, MEP for the West Midlands, has resigned from the group in protest at repeated homophobic statements that emanate from the Italian delegation of the group.

A source close to Ms. Sinclaire told us that "One of the prices we pay for living in a democracy is that we sometimes have to listen to opinions we may disagree strongly with. That does not mean we have to be associated with them, and Nikki was becoming increasingly disturbed by what she was hearing. Her objections were ignored, and eventually it got to the point where her conscience would not allow her to remain in the group."

The UK Independence Party, which Ms. Sinclaire represents, has been plagued by such conflicts of interest in the past. 25% of their MEPs elected in 2004 finished their mandates as non-attached members, including Roger Knapman, the former leader of his party, who resigned from the Ind Dem group in accordance with the wishes of his constituents.