Local Euro MP Liz Lynne led a protest by Liberal Democrats at the Strasbourg Parliament today during a speech by French President Jacques Chirac.

Liz Lynne and members of the British group of LibDem Euro MPs boycotted the chamber in protest at the refusal by France to lift their illegal ban of British beef. 

The group stood shoulder to shoulder outside with British NFU representatives who were there as part of their continued campaign against the ban.

President Chirac was in Strasbourg to open the hugely expensive French-funded new Parliament building, widely regarded by MEPs as a white elephant.

Liz Lynne said: 

"I hope President Chirac realises that there was a lot of anger and disquiet among British MEPs - both Liberal Democrat and across the board.

"There is an enormous strength of feeling against his inauguration of this unpopular new Parliament building during this crisis for the EU.

"The groundswell of opposition is not just limited to the UK. I hope it will prove to him that the French cannot get away with flouting EU law with impunity.

"We have to make sure the legal action is speeded up, with interim compensation payments for farmers. France must be forced to see reason."