He's the man who's vowed to "take our country back" - but Nigel Farage should look closer to home first.

Ukip's leader flew the Union flag UPSIDE DOWN while he gave today's attention-grabbing Brexit victory speech in the European Parliament.

Mr Farage was booed and jeered as he told MEPs "you're not laughing now!" and accused them of never having a proper job.

But while he berated the politicians of Europe a cheap-looking flag on his desk sat the wrong way up - described as "most improper" and usually taken as a distress signal.

Most MEPs don't have flags and Mr Farage brings his in specially.

Photos which show the flag was not hung from its pole correctly were confirmed by the Flag Institute - a charity devoted to how to fly flags.

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Chief executive Charles Ashburner, who owns Welsh flag manufacturer Mr Flag, told the Mirror: "The flag is upside down.

"It’s not immediately obvious because of the way it is hanging and the angle it’s been photographed from, but there is no question that it’s upside down.

"Anyone with a passing acquaintance with our national flag and how it should be flown, will see it in an instant."

How not to fly a flag upside down (
Image:
The Flag Institute)

He added it was vital for Brexit campaigners to get their flags right and flying a standard upside down is "most improper".

He said: "If you are reaching out to the British people, asking them to believe that you have their best interests at heart, that they are central to your thoughts, and that you can be trusted with the detail - flying the Union Jack upside down matters very much indeed."

A Ukip spokesman declined to comment.

It came as astonishing scenes unfolded while Ukip leader gloated about his victory ahead of crisis talks in Brussels by EU leaders including David Cameron .

Nigel Farage with his teeny weeny upside down flag today (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

Earlier European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker snapped at him by saying: “That’s the last time you are applauding here!”

When Mr Farage got his turn he gave a blistering speech attacking his fellow Eurocrats.

“Isn’t it funny!” he said.

“When I came here 17 years ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me.

The Ukip leader also got a continental kiss from unhappy EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

“Well I have to say, you’re not laughing now!”

Jeers rose in volume as Mr Farage told the MEPs: “You as a political project are in denial. You’re in denial that your currency is failing.

“Just look at the Mediterranean! You’re in denial over Mrs Merkel’s call last year for as many people as possible to cross the Mediterranean.”

And here's the flag from another angle (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

He added: “The main reason the UK voted the way it did is you have, by stealth, by deception, without ever telling the truth to the British or the rest of the peoples of Europe, you have imposed on them a political union.”

He claimed the referendum was a “seismic result” that could change the world thanks to “the little people, the ordinary people, the people who’ve been oppressed over the last few years and seen their living standards go down.”

And to outraged shouts he said: “I know a lot of you have never done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or in trade or indeed ever created a job.”