By Darren Ennis

STRASBOURG, France, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Heckling Eurosceptic lawmakers were ordered from the European Parliament on Wednesday as a solemn event to mark a new EU Charter of Fundamental Rights descended into chaos.

About 100 lawmakers jeered and booed Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, in a noisy protest against a new EU reform treaty due to be signed on Thursday.

Wearing black t-shirts and holding placards demanding referendums on the treaty, the lawmakers from countries including Britain, France, Poland and Italy shouted down Socrates as he delivered his speech.

"No matter how loud you heckle and yell, today is a day of fundamental importance for Europe," a defiant-looking Socrates told the assembly. The ceremony at the parliament was held to mark the signing of the charter by the EU's three institutions -- the European Parliament, European Commission and the European Council, which represents the member states.

The event took place a day before the 27 EU leaders will sign the bloc's new reform treaty in Lisbon.

The treaty retains key parts of a doomed EU constitution, including provisions to boost EU foreign policy and make the rights charter legally binding -- except in Britain and Poland, which won opt-outs.

Ireland is due to be the only country to hold a referendum on the issue. The other 26 nations will ratify the document through parliament, much to the anger of opponents.

"Referendum, we want a referendum. The people of Europe deserve to decide for themselves," Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's UK Independence Party, shouted from his seat.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was also verbally attacked during his speech before parliament president Hans-Gert Poettering intervened and told the hecklers to leave.

A small scuffle ensued after parliament officials tried to snatch the placards from the hands of the protesting MEPs

"British UKIP, Eurosceptic Conservatives and Polish far- right MEPs today brought the hooligan behaviour of the football stadium into the European Parliament", Graham Watson, leader of the assembly's Liberals told Reuters.

"They are a disgrace to their countries."

(Editing by Mark John and Matthew Tostevin)

(Reuters Messaging: darren.ennis.reuters.net@reuters.com; Email: darren.ennis"reuters.com; Tel: +32 2 287 6842))

AlertNet news is provided by