Davies launches expenses purge

AN Oldham Euro-MP has taken the first step in making all members of European parliament (MEPs) accountable for their expenses.

All MEPs receive an allowance of £42,144 each year to meet the costs of running their offices.

The money is paid into a bank account controlled by themselves with no legal requirement to show how it is spent.

Liberal Democrat and Oldham MEP Chris Davies has now pushed a vote through the European Parliament which resulted in MEPs agreeing in principle to regulate themselves in future and to produce accounts for the money.

Mr Davies said most British representatives publish details of their office expenses on websites but the majority of MEPs from other countries do not.

He said: “Although this vote has established the principle that declarations must be made, I anticipate that attempts will be made to frustrate agreement on the exact procedures.

“The fight is not yet over.

“With no sanctions ever applied against them, too many MEPs have got use to treating these expenses like extra pocket money.

“I count myself fortunate in never having got into these bad habits.”