Deputies welcome probe into MEP expenses 'fiddle'

MEPs have welcomed a probe into allegations of widespread abuse of parliamentary expenses.

According to press reports, a confidential inquiry by parliament has found widespread misuse of expenses by MEPs employing ficticious staff or unqualified family members.

It has also been claimed that the "dynamite" report was kept under wraps by parlaimentary bosses.

On Thursday, OLAF, the EU’s internal anti-fraud office, confirmed that it was launching an inquiry into the allegations.

Gary Titley, leader of the UK Socialist delegation in parliament, welcomed the OLAF decision.

He said: "This report into MEP expenses is long overdue.

“Since 2000 British Labour MEPs have all their office and staff expenditure reviewed by an independent auditor, who then submits a report to the European Parliamentary Labour Party.

"I am calling on my colleagues from all political parties to follow this example."

It was UK Liberal deputy Chris Davies,  one of a group of MEPs who were allowed to see the parliamentary report, who asked OLAF to intervene.

He said, “This report is dynamite. My gut feeling was that the anti-fraud people should be looking at it.”

 

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