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Tory crackdown on MEPs' expenses Tory crackdown on MEPs' expenses
(10 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has launched a new crackdown on his MEPs' expenses, saying he wants to "deep clean" the claims process.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."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.
Mr Cameron said it was "unacceptable" for MEPs to be able to make claims without anyone knowing what they are for.Mr Cameron said it was "unacceptable" for MEPs to be able to make claims without anyone knowing what they are for.
'Not a pose''Not a pose'
But he conceded that by cracking down on the process, he was laying his party open to claims of abuse.But he conceded that by cracking down on the process, he was laying his party open to claims of abuse.
"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".
I think everybody knows it is time for a deep clean David CameronConservative leader
Under the plans, MEPs will have to publish an annual statement of all the expenses they claim, the names of all the staff they employ and their job title.
Anyone wanting to stand as a Tory MEP will have to sign up to the rules.
"I think everybody knows it is time for a deep clean," said Mr Cameron.
"I believe these changes will help to ensure that the delegation of British Conservative MEPs are committed and are, importantly, seen to be committed to high standards of propriety in public life."
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.
'Public money'
A document outlining Tory MPs' expenses will be published next week.A document outlining Tory MPs' expenses will be published next week.
Mr Cameron said: "By publishing this stuff it will be possible for people to have a go at us, but in the end it is public money. People do have a right to know."Mr Cameron said: "By publishing this stuff it will be possible for people to have a go at us, but in the end it is public money. People do have a right to know."
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.
Mr Chichester stepped down after paying thousands of pounds in staff allowances to a firm of which he is a paid director.Mr Chichester stepped down 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.