PAPro-Brexit campaigners have wasted no time in criticising the EU’s open border policy following the Brussels attacks this morning.
After seizing on today’s attacks, which have killed at least 23 people according to reports, the pro-Brexit pundist and UKIP politicians claimed the bombings prove Britain should leave the EU.
Mike Hookem, UKIP’s defence spokesman, said the bombings at Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station highlighted that the Schengen area, the EU’s free movement zone, was ‘putting the lives of European citizens at risk,’ the Independent reports.
I’m very upset by events in Brussels today and even more depressed for the future.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) March 22, 2016
Hookem issued a press release just two and a half hours after first reports of an explosion in Brussels emerged.
He said:
This horrific act of terrorism shows that Schengen free movement and lax border controls are a threat to our security.
There are 94 returned jihadists currently living in Molenbeek, Brussels. This fact alone should alert people to the fact that open borders are putting the lives of European citizens at risk.
And newspaper columnist Allison Pearson was branded ‘vile’ after tweeting:
Brussels, de facto capital of the EU, is also the jihadist capital of Europe. And the Remainers dare to say we’re safer in the EU! #Brexit
Brussels, de facto capital of the EU, is also the jihadist capital of Europe. And the Remainers dare to say we’re safer in the EU! #Brexit
— Allison Pearson (@allisonpearson) March 22, 2016
Unsurprisingly, her comments were immediately slammed on Twitter.
@allisonpearson what a horror you are. Dust not even settled and you try to make a political point? For shame.
— Alyn Smith MEP (@AlynSmithMEP) March 22, 2016
Maybe a little too early to make political capital from a terrorist atrocity? https://t.co/y6jJcEG7L3
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 22, 2016
Shadow House of Commons leader Chris Bryant also attacked Pearson saying her comment was ‘truly vile’.
This is truly vile. https://t.co/1OXUlUHYjA
— Chris Bryant MP (@RhonddaBryant) March 22, 2016
And it gets worse. Possibly the most disgusting comment came from UKIP supporter and all round shitty human being Katie Hopkins.
On Twitter, Hopkins went as far to say that everyone who welcomed the Syrian refugees are responsible for the attacks on Brussels.
Every one of you who said refugees are welcome, if you said ‘let them in’. You are responsible for Brussels. And you still can’t see.
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) March 22, 2016
Then, of course, Donald Trump decided to pipe up on Twitter to push his agenda too:
Do you all remember how beautiful and safe a place Brussels was. Not anymore, it is from a different world! U.S. must be vigilant and smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2016
Trying to score political points from a terrorist attack is atrocious at any time, never mind the fact that it happened mere hours ago.
I think I speak for many of us when I say that these comments are absolutely appalling.
