Italian MEP expelled by right-wing group for racist remarks

BRUSSELS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- An Italian member of the European Parliament (MEP) Mario Borghezio has been expelled from the right-wing Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) Group for his recent racist remarks, according to a written statement of the EFD group released here on Monday.

"We have sent out an unmistakable signal that racist comments are unacceptable. UKIP are opposed to racism of all kinds," the EFD group co-president and UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage said in a written statement.

At the Parliament's last plenary session in mid May, Borghezio was suspended by his political group EFD for claiming that Cecile Kyenge, the newly-appointed minister for integration in Italy, would impose African tribal traditions on Italy and that she would be more suited to being a housekeeper than a minister.

His comments stirred up widespread disputes in Italy and in Brussels, and could be stripped of his MEP membership if two thirds of MEPs vote on his expulsion in the next plenary session later this month.

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