Controversy over European Parliament invite to Polish priest

The clergyman has in the past stated his disgust over Polish Jews seeking reparations for the pogroms of the 1930s, allegedly stating: “They [the Jews] will come to you and say, ‘Give me your coat! Take off your trousers! Give me your shoes!’”

A number of Conservative MEPs have criticised the invitation, which was issued to draw attention to the fact that the licence of his television channel TV Trwam, has been revoked.

A rally in Brussels against supposed Polish media discrimination was advertised under the ECR banner, and formed part of the build-up to Father Rydzyk’s speech.

Father Rydzyk was also invited to the European Parliament last year, when he participated in a conference about climate change and renewable energy. A Polish MEP said at the time: “He [Rydzyk] is misunderstood. He is a very good priest and his views are held by many in Poland.”