FG talks of ‘gas chambers’ at its campaign launch

THE horror of Nazi gas chambers was invoked by Fine Gael last night as a reason to vote yes for the Lisbon treaty, while the party accused opponents of stooping to “scare tactics”.

Launching FG’s campaign ahead of the June referendum, MEP Gay Mitchell said the vote would usher in a “new form of government” for Europe. “Of course there are trade-offs and compromises and thank God for them for they have replaced Panzer divisions and gas chambers.”

FG leader Enda Kenny denied the language was too emotive as he attacked no campaigners for spreading “scare stories” about what the treaty would mean for Ireland. He also stood by comments by FG European spokeswoman Lucinda Creighton that America is strategically opposed to EU integration and businessmen backing the no campaign may be influenced by that stance.