A HARD-LEFT Mayor was branded "monstrous" after sending in armed cops to shut down a right-wing conference addressed by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.
Chaos erupted at the NatCon meeting in Brussels when cops arrived and shut down the event on the orders of Belgian left-winger Emir Kir.
A major diplomatic spat ensued with Rishi Sunak branding the clampdown on freedom of speech "deeply disturbing" while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was in "disbelief and dismay".
Condemnation from across the continent was quick to follow - with even Belgian PM Alexander De Croo branding the move "unacceptable" and "unconstitutional".
The court order, seen by this paper, suggested speeches could have led to public disorder and displayed racist and homophobic views.
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It was issued by the Saint Josse's mayor, who wrote on social media the "far-right is not welcome" in his city.
Mr Farage, who was on the stage when the cops arrived, slammed the left-wing official's behaviour as "absolutely monstrous" and compared it to "the old Soviet Union".
The Brexit supremo told The Sun: "I am totally convinced that Brexit was the right thing to do, because this is how EU critical people are treated. It tells you why it was the wrong organisation to be part of.”
Former Home Secretary Ms Braverman said it was "laughable" the "thought police" in Brussels were "sent out to shut down a conference of democratically elected politicians representing the views of millions of people".
Speaking after delivering her speech, she added: "They clearly didn’t want to hear about how we can secure our borders and protect our citizens. The more ridiculous their attempts to shut us down, the more cheered I am that we’re winning the arguments."
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Clearly, these reports are extremely disturbing.
"The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy.
“Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result.
“He is very clear that free debate and the exchange of views is vital, even where you disagree.”
NatCon organisers loudly cheered after seeing the Belgian leader had backed their cause publicly on social media on Tuesday evening.
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Mr De Croo said: "What happened at the Claridge today is unacceptable. Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional.Full stop."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is set to speak at the event tomorrow, also waded in on the row, saying: "I guess they couldn’t take free speech any longer.
"The last time they wanted to silence me with the police was when the Communists set them on me in ‘88. We didn’t give up then and we will not give up this time either!"
The conference had already struggled to find a venue, with two locations cancelling the booking in the face of public pressure.
NatCon organisers ended up filing an emergency legal challenge to keep the conference going - but this meant cops barricaded the entrance, with attendees able to leave but not return for the entire day.
It is understood Tory MP Miriam Cates had to be smuggled into the venue wearing a headscarf in order to deliver her speech.
