Richard Tice: 'If Big Ben won't chime, we'll play bongs through huge speakers'

14 January 2020, 16:04

Big Ben's bongs will be played through speakers if the bell itself cannot chime to mark Brexit, Brexit Party MEP Richard Tice has said.

Mr Tice, an MEP for the East of England, said he hopes the bell can toll to mark the moment Britain leaves the EU at 11pm on Friday 31 January.

But the Brexiteer said playing the noise through speakers instead would "still hopefully represent that huge symbolism of our democracy working in action."

Mr Tice said the Brexit leaving party Brexiteers are planning to host in Parliament Square has received a "fantastic response" and will see a combination of speeches and live music.

He spoke to LBC's Shelagh Fogarty live from Strasbourg on Tuesday - the last time British MEPs will attend an EU meeting.

Mr Tice said: "We Brexiteers felt this moment had to be celebrated... in the home of democracy which is Parliament Square.

"People want this event to happen - we've had over 10,000 register already. People want to celebrate this very very significant moment and it's right to do so."

The MEP insisted that Big Ben should bong in celebration on 31st January because "it is such a symbol of democracy... it is the mother of all democracy. It is such a recognisable symbol."

He added: "As Big Ben chimes on New Year's Eve as a celebration, so it should do on this day.

"Whether you think it is chiming or tolling, it is actually a moment for the country to move on and say right, we've now left, let's focus on the future.

"If they can't do that, the sound of Big Ben chiming will blast loudly through our excellent speakers system on stage on Parliament Square.

"Of course it won't be the same but the time will be 11pm.

"It will still hopefully represent that huge symbolism of our democracy working in action."