Brussels (Brussels Morning) – An alleged altercation involving Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly and journalist Thomas O’Reilly prompts European Parliament security investigation. Kelly denies the incident; the outcome is crucial for parliamentary conduct standards.
A protest and complaint have been made to European Parliament security staff regarding Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly over an alleged dispute involving him and a journalist last month. Mr Kelly, president of the right-wing Eurosceptic party, is alleged to have hit a journalist’s phone with his hand during the dispute.
Officials are presently examining a complaint pushed to security staff by Thomas O’Reilly, a journalist established in Brussels performing for the European Conservative publication. Mr O’Reilly’s complaint says that as he was exiting the parliament building one day in early March he was hovered by Mr Kelly. During what is defined in the complaint as a verbal altercation, the journalist claims Mr Kelly questioned him to a fight.
The objection alleges that when Mr O’Reilly took out his phone to document the incident, Mr Kelly struck it with his hand, at which point the politician left the scene. A written objection was submitted to parliament security momentarily after the incident was alleged to have taken place.
Mr Kelly, who previously performed as a press officer in Brussels for former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, is currently operating as a communications director for Cristian Terhes, a conservative Romanian MEP. He is standing as a contender for the Irish Freedom Party in the upcoming European elections this June, in the Midlands-North-West constituency.
A spokeswoman for the parliament declared it “does not comment on individual cases nor potential investigations”. However, it is apprehended staff are currently investigating the complaint made against Mr Kelly. In reaction, Mr Kelly said he had received no information of any investigation into the alleged happening from the parliament.
“I also have an impeccable working and conduct record after 15 years operating in the European Parliament,” he stated. Mr Kelly said he had seen “no evidence” that the altercation as expressed in the complaint took place. His allegation is completely wrong and the only person completing a fracas was Thomas O’Reilly, the only person to present his voice and raise his arms,” he stated. While Mr O’Reilly did not wish to remark, it is understood that he stands by the version of events set out in his formal complaint.
The alleged altercation involving Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly and journalist Thomas O’Reilly has prompted an investigation by European Parliament security. Kelly, accused of hitting O’Reilly’s phone during a dispute, denies the incident occurred. As the investigation unfolds, the Parliament refrains from commenting on individual cases. Kelly, with a lengthy tenure in European politics, asserts his innocence, while O’Reilly stands by his complaint. The outcome of this investigation will not only impact the involved parties but also reflect on the standards of conduct within the European Parliament. It underscores the importance of upholding professionalism and respect in political discourse.
