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SECRET REPORT - MEPS FORCED TO ACT AFTER FINANCIAL ABUSES REVEALED
THE European
Parliament has agreed to seek an urgent revision to the rules
governing the payment of staff by MEPs.
The decision follows
the leaking by local Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies of a secret
report revealing that some MEPs were guilty of flagrant abuse of the
existing arrangements.
Euro-MP Chris Davies called in the EU's fraud squad last month to
investigate the possible misuse of money intended for the payment of
private staff by MEPs'. He took the step after reading a secret
report prepared by the European Parliament's own auditors into the
use of the €140 million funds.
The Liberal Democrat
MEP said the findings revealed abuses of a much greater order than
those exposed at Westminster.
The auditors had uncovered instances
where members in some countries could not account for any of the
€190,000 paid annually for the employment of staff to help them in
their parliamentary work.
In some cases money appeared to have
been paid directly to a political party, or for staff who did not
appear to exist, or even in one instance to a crèche.
Mr Davies's
revelations have gained huge media coverage across Europe, and this
week the European Parliament reacted to the pressure by announcing a
review of the way MEP staff are paid.
The review includes a
proposal for a new set of rules for the employment of MEP
assistants, whilst preserving the freedom of Members to recruit
their assistants.
It also establishes a working party to
assess as a matter of urgency the operation of the existing rules in
detail, and to come forward with proposals for changes to the rules.
Chris Davies has welcomed the announcement. He is seeking an annual
audit of every MEPs' account and full transparency of staff
payments.
Chris Davies
MEP said:- “I'm proud of the work done by the
European Parliament but angry that its reputation is dragged down by
those who put private gain before public service. The abuses must be
brought to an end."
The actions of the MEP have been praised by the Liberal Democrat
leader Nick Clegg. Speaking at his party's weekend conference in
Liverpool Mr Clegg said that Chris Davies had upset a few people,
but he added:- "if it's a choice between doing the right thing
and having an easy life we must always do the right thing.” |
A
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:-
"Southport
RED CROSS APPEAL Needs Help!"
"THE British Red Cross has been given a fantastic opportunity to
raise money for its services in our local community and we have
charity collection opportunities at Southport FC on Saturday, 12
April and bag packing collections at Asda, Southport Saturday, 3 May
2008 and Morrisons Southport Saturday, 10 May 2008.
To cover every collection and maximise the amount raised for the Red
Cross, we need volunteers.
All we are asking for is a minimum
commitment of 2 hours, and we will try to match you to your nearest
collection.
If you are unable to collect at Southport, then you can still be
involved!
Can you deliver envelopes to your friends, family, work colleagues
or neighbours in your street and then collect after one week?
We are looking for people to drop off collection boxes to local
sites i.e. newsagents, pubs, retail outlets, restaurants, GP
surgeries in your area during April and collect them back in again
in June after the Appeal.
Organise a Dress in Red Day in your place of work/school and arrange
all your work colleagues/pupils to wear RED during Red Cross Appeal
Week and make a donation to the Red Cross.
However well we prepare for life, a single event can change
everything. When disaster strikes, Red Cross volunteers are often
first on the scene, offering life-saving first aid and delivering
essentials such as food and medicines.
A house fire can leave a
family homeless and with nothing. An earthquake can bring a whole
country to its knees.
At the Red Cross we believe in respect for
other human beings and in meeting suffering with care, understanding
and without discrimination.
We care for people in their own homes
and in the local communities, at home and abroad, in peace and war.
When you give your time to British Red Cross, you become part of the
largest humanitarian network in the world. With your support we can
reach out to vulnerable people in crisis, no matter where they are.
For further information OR TO GET INVOLVED contact Alexis on:- 0151
702 5061 or
afairclough@redcross.org.uk."
Alexis Fairclough,
Senior Fundraiser, British Red Cross |
