Kalousek “deeply ashamed” of calling MEPs idiots

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek apologised on Monday to two Civic Democrat MEPs who he publically called “insignificant idiots”. Mr Kalousek said he was deeply ashamed of having used such language at a moment of exceptional stress. The remark came in response to criticism from the Euro MPs that the finance minister had been neglecting his duty to attend meetings of the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council. He nonetheless rejected their claims. The finance minister has frequently drawn attention in recent weeks for harsh verbal attacks on colleagues and in one case for physically attacking a member of the public who insulted him. Prime Minister Nečas has expressed concern about his state of health.