This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7497632.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| MEP attacks Cameron expenses plan | MEP attacks Cameron expenses plan |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A Conservative MEP has criticised party leader David Cameron's attempt to reform expenses as "half-baked". | A Conservative MEP has criticised party leader David Cameron's attempt to reform expenses as "half-baked". |
| An unsigned memo seen by the BBC says the change is a "direct breach of the rules of the European Parliament" and likely to bring a PR "defeat". | An unsigned memo seen by the BBC says the change is a "direct breach of the rules of the European Parliament" and likely to bring a PR "defeat". |
| Mr Cameron said all MEPs would have to fill out a "right to know" expenses form, and promised a "deep clean". | Mr Cameron said all MEPs would have to fill out a "right to know" expenses form, and promised a "deep clean". |
| A Tory source said the memo showed some MEPs were "living on another planet" and the system had to change. | |
| The author of the memo is unknown, but the Conservatives have confirmed that it was one of their MEPs. | The author of the memo is unknown, but the Conservatives have confirmed that it was one of their MEPs. |
| 'Direct breach' | 'Direct breach' |
| The document suggests that an attempt by Mr Cameron to merge the European and Westminster expenses system "threatens the worst of both worlds". | The document suggests that an attempt by Mr Cameron to merge the European and Westminster expenses system "threatens the worst of both worlds". |
| It describes the proposal as a "direct breach of the Rules of the European Parliament", which will "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" in PR terms. | It describes the proposal as a "direct breach of the Rules of the European Parliament", which will "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" in PR terms. |
| It's not a pose. I'm genuinely trying to sort this out David Cameron Can Cameron banish sleaze? | It's not a pose. I'm genuinely trying to sort this out David Cameron Can Cameron banish sleaze? |
| It adds that Mr Cameron's plans threaten to "scupper plans for a new group" for the Conservatives to join after the party's planned withdrawal from the centre-right EPP-ED group after the 2009 elections. | It adds that Mr Cameron's plans threaten to "scupper plans for a new group" for the Conservatives to join after the party's planned withdrawal from the centre-right EPP-ED group after the 2009 elections. |
| The memo also argues that the legal basis of the proposed sanctions is "very shaky". | The memo also argues that the legal basis of the proposed sanctions is "very shaky". |
| But a Conservative spokesman said: "There will always be some people who do not like the new code of conduct but David Cameron has been very clear on the need for transparency and openness with expenses." | But a Conservative spokesman said: "There will always be some people who do not like the new code of conduct but David Cameron has been very clear on the need for transparency and openness with expenses." |
| The party insists it is determined to take on MEPs who refuse to abide by the changes - but critics say the reforms will only be compulsory for those Tory MEPs planning to fight next year's European elections. | The party insists it is determined to take on MEPs who refuse to abide by the changes - but critics say the reforms will only be compulsory for those Tory MEPs planning to fight next year's European elections. |
| Earlier, Mr Cameron said his proposed code would be stricter than that which applied to other parties' MEPs. | Earlier, Mr Cameron said his proposed code would be stricter than that which applied to other parties' MEPs. |
| He said it was "unacceptable" for MEPs to be able to make claims without anyone knowing what they were for. | He said it was "unacceptable" for MEPs to be able to make claims without anyone knowing what they were for. |
| "It's not a pose," he told reporters, adding: "I'm genuinely trying to sort this out". | "It's not a pose," he told reporters, adding: "I'm genuinely trying to sort this out". |
| Breakdown | Breakdown |
| Under the plans, which come into effect in September, Tory MEPs will have to publish the names of any relatives they employ, their approximate salary and details of any other staff members paid from public funds. | Under the plans, which come into effect in September, Tory MEPs will have to publish the names of any relatives they employ, their approximate salary and details of any other staff members paid from public funds. |
| Twice a year, they will be required to publish a breakdown of their expenditure under European Parliament allowances. Anyone wanting to stand as a Tory MEP will have to sign up to the rules. | Twice a year, they will be required to publish a breakdown of their expenditure under European Parliament allowances. Anyone wanting to stand as a Tory MEP will have to sign up to the rules. |
| Mr Cameron said: "I think everybody knows it is time for a deep clean. I believe these changes will help to ensure that the delegation of British Conservative MEPs are committed and, importantly, are seen to be committed to high standards of propriety in public life." | Mr Cameron said: "I think everybody knows it is time for a deep clean. I believe these changes will help to ensure that the delegation of British Conservative MEPs are committed and, importantly, are seen to be committed to high standards of propriety in public life." |
| He added: "I don't pretend that any party is whiter than white or purer than pure, but my job with our MEPs is to sort our own stuff out and that is what we're doing." | He added: "I don't pretend that any party is whiter than white or purer than pure, but my job with our MEPs is to sort our own stuff out and that is what we're doing." |
| Mr Cameron said the "vast majority" of the party's MEPs would sign up but that some of those plan to step down at next June's elections may choose not to. | Mr Cameron said the "vast majority" of the party's MEPs would sign up but that some of those plan to step down at next June's elections may choose not to. |
| Bonuses limited | Bonuses limited |
| European Parliament investigations into the former Tory leader in Brussels, Giles Chichester, and chief whip Den Dover should be allowed to take their course, he said, although he indicated he was ready to take action if wrongdoing was uncovered. | European Parliament investigations into the former Tory leader in Brussels, Giles Chichester, and chief whip Den Dover should be allowed to take their course, he said, although he indicated he was ready to take action if wrongdoing was uncovered. |
| Bonuses paid to MEPs' staff will be limited to 15% of their annual salary and MEPs will have to confirm that they have repaid any surpluses from their upfront allowances to the European Parliament. | Bonuses paid to MEPs' staff will be limited to 15% of their annual salary and MEPs will have to confirm that they have repaid any surpluses from their upfront allowances to the European Parliament. |
| In April, the Tories announced that their MEPs would have to declare whom they employ, whether they are related to them and how much they are paid, within £10,000. | In April, the Tories announced that their MEPs would have to declare whom they employ, whether they are related to them and how much they are paid, within £10,000. |
| They were also told they would have to publish an annual statement of expenses and travel allowances which will have to be checked by an independent accountant. | They were also told they would have to publish an annual statement of expenses and travel allowances which will have to be checked by an independent accountant. |
| The current Conservative leader in Brussels, Philip Bushell-Matthews, told the BBC: "There is no problem. Nobody has said to me that they are not signing this." | The current Conservative leader in Brussels, Philip Bushell-Matthews, told the BBC: "There is no problem. Nobody has said to me that they are not signing this." |
| Mr Chichester stepped down as the Tories' leader in Brussels after paying thousands of pounds in staff allowances to a firm of which he is a paid director. | Mr Chichester stepped down as the Tories' leader in Brussels after paying thousands of pounds in staff allowances to a firm of which he is a paid director. |
| The MEP for South West England and Gibraltar said he had not realised the European Parliament's rules had changed and vowed to clear his name. | The MEP for South West England and Gibraltar said he had not realised the European Parliament's rules had changed and vowed to clear his name. |
| Under the new rules, Conservative MEPs will no longer be allowed to use so-called service companies to handle the employment of staff members. | Under the new rules, Conservative MEPs will no longer be allowed to use so-called service companies to handle the employment of staff members. |
| From the end of this financial year, they will be required to provide an independent accountant with an annual statement of expenses, including a summary of amounts claimed and how they were spent. | From the end of this financial year, they will be required to provide an independent accountant with an annual statement of expenses, including a summary of amounts claimed and how they were spent. |
| But Mr Cameron said there would be no requirement to provide receipts for every piece of expenditure, as at Westminster. | But Mr Cameron said there would be no requirement to provide receipts for every piece of expenditure, as at Westminster. |
| The leader of Labour's MEPs, Gary Titley, said: "Finally, after eight years, the Tory Party has caught up with the Labour MEPs' regime for dealing with expenses." | The leader of Labour's MEPs, Gary Titley, said: "Finally, after eight years, the Tory Party has caught up with the Labour MEPs' regime for dealing with expenses." |
| Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker told the BBC: "The reality is that Tory MEPs are a by-word for inappropriate claiming of expenses. The words 'Tory and sleaze' go together as easily as cheese and sandwich." | Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker told the BBC: "The reality is that Tory MEPs are a by-word for inappropriate claiming of expenses. The words 'Tory and sleaze' go together as easily as cheese and sandwich." |
| UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said Mr Cameron's proposals were "more a whitewash than a 'deep clean'". | UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said Mr Cameron's proposals were "more a whitewash than a 'deep clean'". |