Ukip leader Nigel Farage has made a name for himself in the Brussels for delivering vehement attacks on the European Union and the excesses of European politicians.
However last month he got a taste of his own medicine when Guy Verhofstadt, the MEP who used to be Belgian prime minister, launched into a angry tirade against the British eurosceptic.
"What I think is the biggest waste of money in the EU today is the salary we all pay to Mr Farage," he said.
"Oh no Mr Farage, let's be honest about it, you are member of the fisheries committee and you're never there. Never. In 2011 no attendance. In 2012 no attendance."
To applause from other MEPs, Verhofstadt, an ardent European federalist, added: "It's fantastic what you're doing, you are coming here saying it's a scandal, the salaries we are paid, and you pay yourself a salary without doing any labour in your committee."
Farage found the rant highly amusing, which only served to wind up Verhofstadt further. "You can laugh. I hope maybe this will be sent out to the BBC this evening and all the private TV in Britain about how you are cheating your own citizens here."