Politics

Hermann Kelly alleged to have knocked phone out of journalist’s hand at European Parliament

Complaint made to security staff about Irish Freedom Party leader over alleged altercation last month

Hermann Kelly of the Irish Freedom Party speaks at a rally in Drogheda against plans for a hotel be used to house international protection applicants. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni

Jack Power
Wed Apr 3 2024 - 11:28

A complaint has been made to European Parliament security staff about Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly over an alleged altercation involving him and a journalist last month.

Mr Kelly, president of the right-wing Eurosceptic party, is alleged to have knocked a journalist’s phone from his hand during the dispute.

Officials are currently examining a complaint made to security staff by Thomas O’Reilly, a journalist based in Brussels working for the European Conservative publication.

Mr O’Reilly’s complaint states that as he was leaving the parliament building one day in early March he was approached by Mr Kelly. During what is described in the complaint as a verbal altercation, the journalist claims Mr Kelly challenged him to a fight.

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The complaint alleges that when Mr O’Reilly took out his phone to record the incident, Mr Kelly knocked it from his hand, at which point the politician left the scene.

A written complaint was submitted to parliament security shortly after the incident was alleged to have taken place.

Mr Kelly, who previously worked as a press officer in Brussels for former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, is currently employed as a communications director for Cristian Terhes, a conservative Romanian MEP.

He is standing as a candidate for the Irish Freedom Party in the upcoming European elections this June, in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

A spokeswoman for the parliament said it “does not comment on individual cases nor on potential investigations”. However, it is understood staff are currently examining the complaint made against Mr Kelly.

In response, Mr Kelly said he had received no notification of any investigation into the alleged incident from the parliament.

“I also have an impeccable working and behaviour record after 15 years working in the European Parliament,” he said.

Mr Kelly said he had seen “no evidence” that the altercation as described in the complaint took place.

“His allegation is completely false and the only person creating a fracas was Thomas O’Reilly, the only person to raise his voice and raise his arms,” he said.

While Mr O’Reilly did not wish to comment, it is understood that he stands by the version of events set out in his formal complaint.

Jack Power

Jack Power

Jack Power is acting Europe Correspondent of The Irish Times

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