By Martin Banks - 2nd November 2011
This is just plain crazy
Nigel Farage
Plans to allow parliament the right to summon any resident of the EU to appear before it have been branded a "huge power grab".
The attack comes after parliament adopted a report by UK Labour MEP David Martin, allowing MEPs to summon any resident of the EU concerning a matter of European law.
The report also says the assembly should have the right to demand a resident testifies under oath at a parliamentary inquiry and impose sanctions through the member state if the person does not comply.
The proposal has to be endorsed by member states and most think this is highly unlikely but, if approved, the regulation would be binding in all member states.
But the move has been condemned by UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who said, "This is a huge power grab by the European parliament which is demanding investigatory powers binding on the UK and other countries.
"It now demands that UK authorities impose sanctions on citizens who refuse to comply with demands of the parliament to appear before it.
"This is just plain crazy.
"This report gives parliament the power to summon either the Queen or our prime minister for questioning.
"It is all the more shocking because its rapporteur is a Labour MEP.
"This is another huge loss of rights by UK citizens and a further unwelcome intrusion by the EU. This report attacks the basic rights of British citizens and is unacceptable."
Since 1995, parliament has set up three committees of inquiry to investigate VAT and customs duties fraud, the handling of mad cow disease and the financial debacle at Equitable Life.
Under the proposals, any EU citizen would retain the right to refuse to speak under oath. EU and member states' officials may also be asked to speak before any committee of inquiry.
But the proposed regulation would oblige member states to punish those who refuse "without justification" to provide documents or to testify.
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