By Martin Banks - 31st March 2011
To safeguard any evidence, the offices of the members concerned are locked and guarded until such a time as the competent authorities have a chance to examine the cases
Jerzy Buzek
Parliament's president Jerzy Buzek will put forward proposals designed to strengthen the assembly's internal rules in the wake of the "cash for laws" scandal.
The Polish MEP said on Thursday, "At today's conference of presidents meeting, I will discuss in detail with the leaders of political groups how we tighten up our own standards and our rules for dealing with outside interests."
The move comes after it was recently revealed by a British newspaper that four MEPs had allegedly accepted an offer of cash payment in return for submitting amendments to key EU legislation. Two of the MEPs have since resigned while a third has been removed from the S&D group.
It was revealed that the offices of each of the MEPs in question have now been locked.
It has also emerged that Buzek has given the green light to EU anti-fraud agency Olaf to conduct a probe into the four MEPs.
However, in a statement Buzek said that while Olaf has the right to conduct an "administrative" investigation, its investigators will not have access to the members' offices.
Nor can the probe be regarded as a criminal inquiry, he insists.
He said, "As the president of this institution I have to act as a guardian of its dignity.
"I have analysed the situation in depth and decided to allow the administrative investigation. In the context of the administrative investigation, I cannot allow Olaf to enter into the MEPs' offices and I urged the agency to fully respect the immunity of members."
He informed Olaf that EU treaties state that an investigation can be conducted when it is "clearly spelt out that the financial interests of the EU are affected".
He said, "The principle that the investigation can go beyond the protection of financial interests to include all activities relating to the need to safeguard community interest against irregular conduct is enshrined in our rules of procedure.
"If Olaf wishes to start an investigation, then it evidently has to conduct it as an administrative, and not a criminal, investigation and act in full respect of the immunity of a member."
He said he had provided Olaf with the digital data which parliament received from the Sunday Times.
"My strong feeling is that parliament has to stick to the rules we established for ourselves."
Access to the MEPs' offices may, however, be allowed if the authorities in their home countries wish to launch investigations.
Buzek went on, "I want to highlight the fact that parliament is ready to fully cooperate with relevant national authorities, including full access to the MEPs' offices and computers once the immunity is waved.
"The member states dispose all the necessary institutions of the justice system under the rule of law to fully inquire into the current cases. They might equally ask Olaf or the institutions to support their investigation with their own means".
He said he was in close contact with national authorities from the member states concerned.
"In the meantime, parliament has received correspondence from the Austrian and Slovenian prosecuting authorities on those cases. An official letter from the Romanian authorities is also expected very soon.
"To safeguard any evidence, the offices of the members concerned are locked and guarded until such a time as the competent authorities have a chance to examine the cases."
Buzek met the representatives of 'Transparency International' on Wednesday.
He said, "I have always believed in the rule of law and transparency in public life. Public officials who are corrupt attack the very fabric of our democracy. There should be zero tolerance for any form of corruption. As I am responsible for the integrity of parliament I am determined to uphold it."
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