The ban on Marine Le Pen from standing for public office has been branded as "lawfare" by a furious Irish political figure.
Hermann Kelly from the Irish Freedom Party condemned the decision during an appearance on GB News.
"If you can't beat them, ban them!" Kelly declared, suggesting the verdict was part of a wider plot against nationalist politicians.
"This is law fare. This is the globalist establishment trying to ban legitimate candidates from standing," he said.
Kelly argued that Le Pen, who had been considered a strong contender in future elections, was being deliberately barred by establishment forces who couldn't defeat her democratically.
The comments follow a verdict delivered earlier today in which Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misappropriating European funds to finance her far-right National Rally party.
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The French politician has been banned from holding public office, a decision that could derail her expected 2027 presidential bid.
Prosecutors had sought a €300,000 (£250,000) fine and prison term, along with a five-year ban from public office.
Crucially, they requested the ineligibility take immediate effect rather than being suspended during any appeal process.
The full details of Le Pen's sentence were still being delivered when news of the ban emerged.
Kelly insisted that voters, not judges, should determine who represents them in elections.
"Surely it should be for the people to decide who represents them and not the judges to decide who stands," he argued.
He emphasised that the issue wasn't about supporting Le Pen's politics but defending democratic principles.
"You don't have to vote for her. This is to do with whether she can stand or not, it should be for the people to decide, not the judges."
Kelly questioned why nationalist candidates in particular face legal obstacles.
"Why is it these troublesome, nationalist candidates are given great trouble?" he asked during the heated discussion.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner challenged Kelly's position during the exchange.
"It's not the court who says who can stand, it's the constitution. Are you saying she didn't commit the crime?" Gardiner asked.
Kelly acknowledged Le Pen's conviction but maintained his position on voter sovereignty.
"The judges decide when to apply the law. I do believe she has been convicted of embezzlement. It should be for the people to decide whether she stands now."
When Gardiner questioned whether someone guilty of embezzlement was "fit and proper to be the leader of a major Western nation," Kelly pivoted.
"If that is a consequence of corruption and embezzlement, here's some whataboutery. When Ursula von der Leyen was minister of defence in Germany, when she was accused of corruption, she deleted details on her mobile phone."
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Hermann Kelly from the Irish Freedom Party condemned the decision during an appearance on GB News.
"If you can't beat them, ban them!" Kelly declared, suggesting the verdict was part of a wider plot against nationalist politicians.
"This is law fare. This is the globalist establishment trying to ban legitimate candidates from standing," he said.
Kelly argued that Le Pen, who had been considered a strong contender in future elections, was being deliberately barred by establishment forces who couldn't defeat her democratically.
The comments follow a verdict delivered earlier today in which Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misappropriating European funds to finance her far-right National Rally party.
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The French politician has been banned from holding public office, a decision that could derail her expected 2027 presidential bid.
Prosecutors had sought a €300,000 (£250,000) fine and prison term, along with a five-year ban from public office.
Crucially, they requested the ineligibility take immediate effect rather than being suspended during any appeal process.
The full details of Le Pen's sentence were still being delivered when news of the ban emerged.
Kelly insisted that voters, not judges, should determine who represents them in elections.
"Surely it should be for the people to decide who represents them and not the judges to decide who stands," he argued.
He emphasised that the issue wasn't about supporting Le Pen's politics but defending democratic principles.
"You don't have to vote for her. This is to do with whether she can stand or not, it should be for the people to decide, not the judges."
Kelly questioned why nationalist candidates in particular face legal obstacles.
"Why is it these troublesome, nationalist candidates are given great trouble?" he asked during the heated discussion.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner challenged Kelly's position during the exchange.
"It's not the court who says who can stand, it's the constitution. Are you saying she didn't commit the crime?" Gardiner asked.
Kelly acknowledged Le Pen's conviction but maintained his position on voter sovereignty.
"The judges decide when to apply the law. I do believe she has been convicted of embezzlement. It should be for the people to decide whether she stands now."
When Gardiner questioned whether someone guilty of embezzlement was "fit and proper to be the leader of a major Western nation," Kelly pivoted.
"If that is a consequence of corruption and embezzlement, here's some whataboutery. When Ursula von der Leyen was minister of defence in Germany, when she was accused of corruption, she deleted details on her mobile phone."
Find Out More...