Tories refuse to back EU’s Hungary vote

CONSERVATIVE MEPS have voted against triggering the EU’s most serious disciplinary procedure against the Hungarian government which stands accused of “pandering to antisemitism”.

For the first time ever, the European Parliament voted on Wednesday to trigger an ‘Article 7 procedure’ against a member state, deeming Hungary’s government of posing a “systematic threat” to democracy and the rule of law.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has attacked refugees as “Muslim invaders” and waged a campaign against Jewish Hungarian billionaire George Soros, who he accuses of wanting to “take over” the country.

In the run-up to his re-election this year, Mr Orbán gave a speech full of antisemitic tropes where he said: “We are fighting an enemy that is different from us. They do not fight directly, but by stealth; they are not honourable, but unprincipled; they are not national, but international; they do not believe in work, but speculate with money; they have no homeland, but feel that the whole world is theirs. They are not generous, but vengeful, and always attack the heart — especially if it is red, white and green [the colours of the Hungarian flag].”

Before the vote, Tory MEP Dan Dalton said the report proposing action against Hungary “crosses a boundary by politicising what should be a purely legal matter.

“If the EU’s treaties have been breached by any Member State, it is for the European Commission to build a legal case against it. MEPs have no role to play in the process and their involvement leaves any subsequent legal action open to the accusation that it is politically motivated.”