By Martin Banks - 26th January 2012
There are a lot of things to consider
Stewart Arnold
The man at the centre of a 'jobs for the boys' row has defended his right to take the seat relinquished by senior Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis.
Wallis sparked anger last week by resigning to hand over her well-paid post to her husband Stewart Arnold who is already employed as her assistant in parliament.
Wallis, a former vice-president of parliament, recently failed in her bid for the assembly's presidency.
The MEP is due to step down on 31 January and under EU election rules will replaced by the next person on the Lib Dem list in her region - her husband.
As well as being married to Wallis, Arnold is also employed by his wife as her chief of staff, under a special loophole that allows British MEPs elected before June 2009 to employ their close relatives.
Speaking exclusively to this website, Arnold said that under current rules, he had "every right" to take the seat about to be freed by Wallis.
He said, "That is how the list system in the UK works. I was number two on the list at the last election and have the right to take the seat."
Party colleague Chris Davies, another MEP, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of both Wallis' decision to quit and also effectively hand the seat to her husband.
Arnold said, however, that he had not yet decided whether he will take the seat.
He said, "I have still a lot of people to talk to about this and do not expect to reach a decision until the end of this week. There are a lot of things to consider."
Speaking of Davies' criticism, Arnold said, "Chris is a party colleague. He has his views on this and I have mine."
It is also believed that Wallis will receive more than a full year's salary as a "parting gift" for her resignation. This amounts to one month for each year's service. She has been an MEP since 1999.
If her husband takes the seat, and either chooses not to defend it or is defeated in June 2014, it is also understood that he will receive a pay off equivalent to half a year's salary. There is a six months equivalent minimum for such payments.
A party colleague pointed out, "It is important to stress that any other MEP who retires gets the same."
