Irish MEP Mick Wallace has been reprimanded in the European Parliament after referring to the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as an "unelected gobshite".

He was speaking on Tuesday during a debate on Venezuela.

A number of European countries have recognised the opposition leader as Venezuela's acting president over Nicolás Maduro.

During the debate, Mr Wallace asked: "Do you not agree that the recognition of Guaidó is an absolute embarrassment to anyone who has to occupy this chamber?

"It is a disgrace on the part of the member states of Europe that so many of them have recognised an unelected gobshite."

The Ireland South MEP was swiftly called to order for his use of the word.

It was outrageous for the #EU to recognise #Guaido as President of #Venezuela

He is "an unelected Gobshite" https://t.co/BWoUsKGbAV pic.twitter.com/5T5UTWpki5

— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) February 13, 2020

Concerns have long been raised about the human rights situation under Maduro's government - with reports of various abuses, including torture, by the country's security forces.

However, many commentators have also expressed unease about international efforts to support regime change in Venezuela, with many western countries recognising Juan Guaidó as the country's interim leader.

Critics have slammed such actions as a 'coup', and insist the Venezuelan people should be asked to choose their leaders through fresh and free elections without foreign interference.