Former Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood made something of a statement in his first appearance as a member of the European Parliament.

Mr Horwood, who was Cheltenham's member of the UK Parliament from 2000 to 2015 was elected as one of two Liberal Democrat MEPs for the South West in May.

Proud to have taken my seat at the heart of European democracy in the European Parliament today, alongside fellow South West MEP @CarolineVoaden @LibDemMEPs and more than 100 @RenewEurope MEPs. Thank you to all who voted, supported us and who helped make the elections happen. pic.twitter.com/X88vXDmEm3

— Martin Horwood MEP 🇪🇺🇬🇧🔸 (@MartinChelt) July 2, 2019

A total of 16 of the UK's 73 MEPs came from the Lib Dems and they all made a statement as they were sworn in to serve this morning.

All 16 donned bright amber T-shirts with the words Stop Brexit emblazoned on the front.

Unfortunately for Mr Horwood, he was also snapped from behind by Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt, with the slightly less savoury, albeit alliterative term on show.

Mr Horwood was hardly shy in acknowledging the image, immediately retweeting the image to his near 10,000 followers.

Here’s my new view in the plenary of the European Parliament! 🙂 #BollockstoBrexit #IamEuropean pic.twitter.com/cZ9brvhIFK

— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) July 2, 2019