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Tory crackdown on MEPs' expenses | Tory crackdown on MEPs' expenses |
(30 minutes later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron has launched a new crackdown on his MEPs' expenses, saying he wants to "deep clean" the claims process. | |
All Tory MEPs will have to fill out a "right to know form" with details of expenses they have claimed. | All Tory MEPs will have to fill out a "right to know form" with details of expenses they have claimed. |
"I'm setting out a series of measures to bring more transparency," he said. | |
It follows the resignation of Giles Chichester, the party's leader in Brussels, after he admitted breaking European Parliament rules on expenses. | It follows the resignation of Giles Chichester, the party's leader in Brussels, after he admitted breaking European Parliament rules on expenses. |
The MEP paid thousands of pounds in staff allowances to a firm of which he is a paid director. | The MEP paid thousands of pounds in staff allowances to a firm of which he is a paid director. |
Mr Chichester, 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. | Mr Chichester, 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. |
Travel allowances | Travel allowances |
The new scheme will be equivalent to one established for Conservative frontbenchers at Westminster. | The new scheme will be equivalent to one established for Conservative frontbenchers at Westminster. |
In April, the Tories announced that their MEPs would have to declare who 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 who 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. |
A document outlining Tory MPs' expenses will be published next week. | A document outlining Tory MPs' expenses will be published next week. |