Nigel Farage unveils 'Mr Brexit' portrait a day before UK's withdrawal from EU
Nigel Farage has unveiled a portrait he is auctioning to raise money for charity – less than 36 hours before the UK is set to leave the European Union.
The work, created by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, was revealed at L’Escargot Restaurant in London on Thursday - the day before Brexit, when the UK leaves the bloc at 11pm on January 31.
As he unveiled the painting with the help of controversial comedian Jim Davidson, Mr Farage said: “I will miss the drama. I will miss being the pantomime villain who gets up and 500 people boo.
“I won’t miss Brussels because it’s a dump. But I will miss Strasbourg which has got lots of family-run restaurants and yeah, of course, I am going to miss that.
“I suppose my level of notoriety is relatively high at the moment and I am hoping we can auction this off for a magnificent charity.”
With Brexit just one day away, Nigel Farage has said he believes the UK’s departure will mark the “beginning of the end” for the EU.
After his fiery departure speech in the EU Parliament on Wednesday– which saw him having his microphone cut off and being told to leave “and take your flags with you” by the deputy speaker – Mr Farage said he found it hard to believe Brexit was happening.
Read more:
Nigel Farage: Brexit is 'beginning of the end' for the EU
Union Jack-waving Nigel Farage launches one final attack on 'bullying' EU
British MEP throwing 'Brexit's s**t' party in Brussels to cheer up Remainers
He said: “As I walked out, for just a second, I did feel something. And then I thought, stiffen up, the cameras might get that.
“It has been a huge chapter of my life. I gave up a career in business to go up and becoming an MEP, arguably it had a very damaging effect on family life and other things.”
The Brexiteer also said he will now be spending more time in America.
He continued: “There is a big election coming up in November. It is no great secret I am a friend of the president’s, I want to see him elected.
“He may be a bit rough around the edges for some people but on the big stuff, I am joined at the hip with him.”