Commission and Parliament declare war on ‘offensive’ ad

Date: 04/07/02

By Peter Chapman and Martin Banks

A BRITISH anti-euro campaign that features an actor portraying Adolf Hitler has been condemned by MEPs and the European Commission.

In a controversial sketch to be shown in cinemas, comedian Rik Mayall adopts the Nazi salute, shouting 'Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein euro!'

The €1.5 million advertisement by the 'No' campaign is part of a concerted effort to sway British public opinion ahead of a referendum on the euro, which could take place next year.

MEPs reacted angrily as details of the advertisement emerged. German socialist Christa Randzio-Plath, who chairs the economic and monetary affairs committee, told European Voice: 'I regret that such an advertisement is possible today. It is really a horror.' Her compatriot, Hans-Gert Pöttering, leader of Parliament's biggest political group, the European People's Party, described the Hitler portrayal as 'deeply offensive'.

UK socialist member Linda McAvan called it a 'cheap publicity stunt'. She said: 'This is the sort of thing people have to resort to when they haven't got a strong argument. To link the euro with Hitler's attempted domination of Europe is absolutely pathetic.'

Graham Watson, leader of the Liberal group said: 'In an attempt to be funny the 'No' campaign has just strayed into bad taste.'

Former European Trade Commissioner Lord Brittan said the tone of the advertisement could actually lead to a backlash against the 'No' campaign.

'This tasteless advert shows the underlying nastiness behind much of the 'No' campaign, as well as an element of desperation. It can only boomerang.'

Jonathan Faull, spokesman for the European Commission, said the advertisement was 'in crass bad taste and betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of history. The EU is a response of modern Europe to its past and to Hitler'.

Comedian Eddie Izzard, a strong supporter of the euro, said: 'If Hitler would have liked the euro then why don't Le Pen and Haider?'

The 'No' campaign defended its use of Hitler. Spokesman James Frayne said: 'This is a three -second comedy sketch in a 90-second film. Comedians like Izzard have lampooned Hitler for years.'

MP Kate Hoey, a former minister who also features in the screen clip, said anyone taking offence at its reference to Hitler should 'get a life'.

The cinema commercial also includes well-known anti-euro personalities such as Bob Geldof telling viewers: 'It's not anti-European to be against the euro.'

The 'No' campaign, funded by 15,000 businesses and donors, insists its message is not anti-EU. Its message is 'Yes to Europe, No to the euro'.

A British anti-euro campaign that features an actor portraying Adolf Hitler has been condemned by MEPs and the European Commission.

http://www.no-euro.co.uk/general/ http://www.no-euro.co.uk/general/

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