The European parliament's first debate on the UK's vote to leave has been marked by bitter exchanges.
A central figure in the Leave campaign, UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage, was booed, called a liar and accused of using "Nazi propaganda".
Mr Farage shot back that the European Union itself was "in denial" as a political project.
He said hardly any of the MEPs had ever done a proper job in their lives, or created one.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Brussels for his first meeting with EU leaders since Thursday's referendum.
He is stepping down, saying it will be up to his successor to trigger the formal method by which the country leaves the EU, and to conduct exit negotiations.
The European Parliament voted in favour of a motion urging the UK to do so immediately, by triggering Article 50.
Opening the session in parliament, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the British government should "clarify" its position.
Mr Juncker said the will of the British people must be respected, prompting shouting and clapping from Mr Farage.
"You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favour of the exit - why are you here?" Mr Juncker responded, to applause from others in parliament.
He also accused Mr Farage of lying about using the UK's EU contributions to fund the country's National Health Service, saying he had "fabricated reality".
Others went much further. Belgian ex-Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who leads the liberal group in the European parliament, said Mr Farage had used "Nazi propaganda" in the campaign, referring to a poster showing lines of refugees.
"Finally we are going to get rid of the biggest waste in the EU budget, which we have paid for 17 years, your salary!" he told Mr Farage.
In a veiled condemnation of Leave campaigner Boris Johnson, a likely contender to be the next British Prime Minister, Mr Verhofstadt also attacked "the selfishness of one man prepared to do anything to become the prime minister of the UK".
This was a stormy and deeply emotional debate, with accusations and counter-accusations of lying.
Britain's vote to leave the EU has divided and shaken the European Parliament. This is a watershed moment.
Many MEPs expressed sadness at losing the UK. There was a standing ovation for the UK's outgoing Commissioner, Lord Hill.
But there was also a strong sense of defiance, as well as concern for the future. There were calls for unity, for reform, and the need to connect to Europe's citizens.
For the Eurosceptic groups, this was a sweet moment of victory. Something that once appeared almost impossible has become reality.
Manfred Weber, chairman of the European People's Party group, said: "The times of appeasement are over. We have to stand up for our European project."
"Apologise to the British, shame on you," he told Mr Farage, adding: "Stop this populist Brussels bashing."
Hitting back, Mr Farage told parliament that they were "in denial".
"We now offer a beacon of hope to democrats across the European continent," he said. "The UK will not be the last member state to leave the EU."
Brexit in Brussels: quotes from Tuesday's debate
- "The fact that fragmentation is no longer unthinkable, should gravely concern us all": Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert
- "Please, remember this: Scotland did not let you down. Please, I beg you, do not let Scotland down now": Scottish MEP Alyn Smith
- "Those who said: It's all irreversible, the European Union is irreversible, well, the British people have told you where to get off.": French National Front leader and MEP Marine Le Pen
- "The European Union cannot become a hostage to the internal party politics of the [British] Conservatives": Italian MEP Gianni Pittella
- "Only triggering Article 50 immediately can stop this - 27 member states should not wait for a disorientated Tory party to get its act together": Belgian MEP, and leader of EU Liberal group Guy Verhofstadt
- "We in the North of Ireland are not bound by the UK vote... The last thing the people of Northern Ireland need is a new border with 27 member states": UK MEP Martina Anderson (Sinn Fein)
Meanwhile in a speech to the German parliament, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU was strong enough to survive without the UK.
She said she respected the result and warned the bloc would not tolerate British "cherry-picking" when it came to negotiations.
Credit- THE BBC
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