The departing Ukip leader, who was at the forefront of efforts to lead Britain out of the EU, said it was "clear" the bloc was not going to learn from the UK's decision to quit.

Mr Farage was responding to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's grandstanding annual 'State of the Union' speech in the European Parliament, in which the unelected politician repeatedly took sideswipes at Britain's democratic Brexit vote - seemingly dismissing it at dangerous populism.

Mr Juncker had said: "Far too often national interests are brought to the fore. We shouldn't misunderstand this - European integration must not bow to the interests of the nation state."

But Mr Farage retorted: "Having listened to what you said this morning all I can say is I'm pleased we voted to leave.