“You describe the European Parliament as an easy and lucrative source of benefits.”

The claim that Nigel Farage has described the European Parliament as an easy and lucrative source of benefits — equivalently, that he has called it a "gravy train" — is well-documented. In the interview context itself, the interviewer (Huw Spanner) directly states to Farage, "You describe the European Parliament as a gravy train," and Farage does not dispute this characterization. The phrase "gravy train" is an idiom meaning precisely an easy and lucrative source of money or benefits. Multiple independent sources corroborate that Farage has repeatedly used this language: - The Independent (2016) reported that "Nigel Farage has spent years attacking the so-called Brussels gravy train." - The Guardian (2009) described Farage's campaign attacking MPs while also noting he himself had claimed £2 million in expenses. - The Daily Mail (2014) noted Farage's "vehement attacks on the EU 'gravy train.'" - The Times (2014) described how "Mr Farage has repeatedly criticised MPs for fleecing the taxpayer" while noting the irony that UKIP MEPs were themselves "deeply entrenched in the Brussels elite and happy to ride First Class on the EU 'gravy train.'" These sources confirm that Farage did describe the European Parliament as a "gravy train," which is synonymous with calling it an easy and lucrative source of benefits. The claim is accurate. Sources: - The Independent, "Nigel Farage told to stop milking the EU gravy train and quit as MEP" (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-resigns-brexit-ukip-leader-mep-calls-to-step-down-tom-brake-liberal-democrats-a7119411.html) - The Guardian (Observer), "Ukip leader boasts of his £2m in expenses" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090527061523/http:/www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/24/mps-expenses-ukip-nigel-farage) - Daily Mail, "UKIP leader Nigel Farage under fire for staying at a swanky penthouse suite at taxpayers' expense" (https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-2587229/UKIP-leader-Nigel-Farage-fire-staying-swanky-penthouse-suite-taxpayers-expense-hes-Brussels.html) - The Times, "'This is a party happy to travel on the EU gravy train'" (https://www.thetimes.com/article/this-is-a-party-happy-to-travel-on-the-eu-gravy-train-v5w3dtxs9tb)