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| Ukip's Godfrey Bloom and the £2,000-a-month climate researcher | Ukip's Godfrey Bloom and the £2,000-a-month climate researcher |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| One of the UK Independence Party's (Ukip) popular battle cries in recent years has been its condemnation of the European parliament wasting taxpayers' money on its bureaucrats and pet projects. It's a political strategy that has, in part, helped it to steadily improve its poll rating. | One of the UK Independence Party's (Ukip) popular battle cries in recent years has been its condemnation of the European parliament wasting taxpayers' money on its bureaucrats and pet projects. It's a political strategy that has, in part, helped it to steadily improve its poll rating. |
| But, following a rather frustrating exchange of emails with the party, I would argue that Ukip has its own questions to answer over its use of taxpayers' money on its officials and pet causes. | But, following a rather frustrating exchange of emails with the party, I would argue that Ukip has its own questions to answer over its use of taxpayers' money on its officials and pet causes. |
| The story started back in September when I spotted an intriguing detail on the latest "transparency report" registered by Godfrey Bloom, the Ukip MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire who is currently running for police commissioner of Humberside Police. It stated (pdf) that, up to at least December 2011, he had two part-time researchers working for him. They were described as a "climate and environment researcher" and a "religious and confidential researcher". | The story started back in September when I spotted an intriguing detail on the latest "transparency report" registered by Godfrey Bloom, the Ukip MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire who is currently running for police commissioner of Humberside Police. It stated (pdf) that, up to at least December 2011, he had two part-time researchers working for him. They were described as a "climate and environment researcher" and a "religious and confidential researcher". |
| Bloom is known for his climate scepticism and hostility towards wind turbines, but it was a surprise to me to learn that he had a dedicated, part-time researcher working for him on such issues. Given that Bloom is not UKIP's official environment spokesman (that honour fell to Lord Monckton until earlier this year when he was replaced by Roger Helmer), what did this researcher actually do? And how much was he/she paid? | Bloom is known for his climate scepticism and hostility towards wind turbines, but it was a surprise to me to learn that he had a dedicated, part-time researcher working for him on such issues. Given that Bloom is not UKIP's official environment spokesman (that honour fell to Lord Monckton until earlier this year when he was replaced by Roger Helmer), what did this researcher actually do? And how much was he/she paid? |
| So, on 28 September, I emailed Gawain Towler, Ukip's press spokesman: | So, on 28 September, I emailed Gawain Towler, Ukip's press spokesman: |
| Please can you help me with this query? I notice on Godfrey Bloom's transparency documents held on the EFD Group website that he has had a part-time "climate and environment researcher" since 2009. Please can you tell me who this researcher is and how much they are paid out of EFD Group/EU parliament funding? | Please can you help me with this query? I notice on Godfrey Bloom's transparency documents held on the EFD Group website that he has had a part-time "climate and environment researcher" since 2009. Please can you tell me who this researcher is and how much they are paid out of EFD Group/EU parliament funding? |
| (N.B. "EFD" stands for Europe of Freedom and Democracy, the political group that Ukip MEPs belong to in the EU parliament.) | (N.B. "EFD" stands for Europe of Freedom and Democracy, the political group that Ukip MEPs belong to in the EU parliament.) |
| A few hours later I received an email directly from Ben Pile, who runs the anti-environmentalism Climate Resistance blog and who writes on occasion for Spiked, as well as convening a Spiked-partnered "salon" in Oxford: | A few hours later I received an email directly from Ben Pile, who runs the anti-environmentalism Climate Resistance blog and who writes on occasion for Spiked, as well as convening a Spiked-partnered "salon" in Oxford: |
| Hi Leo, I'm pretty sure you knew already! FYI. | Hi Leo, I'm pretty sure you knew already! FYI. |
| Salary 2009 - Jul 2010: £700/month. Salary Jul 2010 - Aug 2011: £26.4kpa. Since Summer 2011, I have been contracted, rather than salaried to work for Godfrey Bloom/EFD. Works out at about £2,000/month including expenses +/- other projects. | Salary 2009 - Jul 2010: £700/month. Salary Jul 2010 - Aug 2011: £26.4kpa. Since Summer 2011, I have been contracted, rather than salaried to work for Godfrey Bloom/EFD. Works out at about £2,000/month including expenses +/- other projects. |
| Have a good weekend. Ben | Have a good weekend. Ben |
| This surprised me to some extent: both to learn the identity of the researcher, as well as the sums he was receiving for his part-time research role. | This surprised me to some extent: both to learn the identity of the researcher, as well as the sums he was receiving for his part-time research role. |
| As Pile alluded to, I knew he had done some previous work with Bloom and EFD (making an anti-wind turbine film called Europe's Ill Wind in 2010 via his company called Polimedia Ltd; he also made a speech at the Ukip conference in 2011), but I didn't realise he had been Bloom's part-time researcher over such a long period. | As Pile alluded to, I knew he had done some previous work with Bloom and EFD (making an anti-wind turbine film called Europe's Ill Wind in 2010 via his company called Polimedia Ltd; he also made a speech at the Ukip conference in 2011), but I didn't realise he had been Bloom's part-time researcher over such a long period. |
| I replied to Pile and Towler: | I replied to Pile and Towler: |
| Thanks. Actually, I didn't know for sure. I just happened to notice that it said "climate and environment researcher" on that register and was curious to know who it was. Yes, I had a pretty good hunch it might be you as you had made that wind video for Godfrey a while back, but nice to have it confirmed. What does Godfrey get for £2000 a month then? That suggests to me quite a bit of work? | Thanks. Actually, I didn't know for sure. I just happened to notice that it said "climate and environment researcher" on that register and was curious to know who it was. Yes, I had a pretty good hunch it might be you as you had made that wind video for Godfrey a while back, but nice to have it confirmed. What does Godfrey get for £2000 a month then? That suggests to me quite a bit of work? |
| Towler then emailed: | Towler then emailed: |
| I think, Ben can correct me, that this is from Godfrey's secretarial/research allowance rather than direct from EFD funds. | I think, Ben can correct me, that this is from Godfrey's secretarial/research allowance rather than direct from EFD funds. |
| I replied: | I replied: |
| Yes, it would be good to have that confirmed one way or other. | Yes, it would be good to have that confirmed one way or other. |
| Then Pile replied: | Then Pile replied: |
| Facts, figures, and the such like. (Except, as an independent researcher I'm not involved in campaigning). Exactly the same sort of thing that any junior researcher provides to any politician for the same amount of money. Actually, Brussels-based political researchers (for all parties) get paid a lot more, such are the benefits of working in the EU. What's your interest here? | Facts, figures, and the such like. (Except, as an independent researcher I'm not involved in campaigning). Exactly the same sort of thing that any junior researcher provides to any politician for the same amount of money. Actually, Brussels-based political researchers (for all parties) get paid a lot more, such are the benefits of working in the EU. What's your interest here? |
| I then replied to Pile and Towler: | I then replied to Pile and Towler: |
| Thanks for the extra info. At the moment, I'm just at the "curious" stage, having seen that listing on Godfrey Bloom's register. But I will come back to you if I have any more queries. | Thanks for the extra info. At the moment, I'm just at the "curious" stage, having seen that listing on Godfrey Bloom's register. But I will come back to you if I have any more queries. |
| (I also asked Towler to explain who the "religious and confidential" researcher was, how much they were paid, and what precisely they did. He said it was someone called Father Eric Richards who "does lots of interfaith work". Beyond that he didn't know, especially regarding the reference to "confidential". I also asked Towler to confirm if that Eric Richards was the same Eric Richards listed as the treasurer of the European Foundation for Freedom? But I didn't get a response.) | (I also asked Towler to explain who the "religious and confidential" researcher was, how much they were paid, and what precisely they did. He said it was someone called Father Eric Richards who "does lots of interfaith work". Beyond that he didn't know, especially regarding the reference to "confidential". I also asked Towler to confirm if that Eric Richards was the same Eric Richards listed as the treasurer of the European Foundation for Freedom? But I didn't get a response.) |
| But then I started thinking more about that £2,000-a-month figure quoted to me by Pile. On reflection, it seemed like a rather large sum, especially given that Bloom is not the party's spokesperson for this subject. (The median salary in the UK for a full-time worker in 2011 was £26,244.) I looked at Bloom's website to see what activity within the topics of "climate and environment" he'd had pursued since 2009. I found a handful of amateurish YouTube videos (here, here and here) from around the time of the Copenhagen summit in late 2009 with Bloom attacking climate science, but nothing that he couldn't easily have filmed himself and uploaded. He has, on occasion, posted on his blog about climate change, carbon "scammers", wind farms and the like. There was the odd outburst or speech in the European parliament, but again, nothing that seemed to justify a researcher being paid such sums on a monthly basis. And, to further confuse matters, there seemed to be a noticeable reduction in proclamations by Bloom on climate or environmental issues from early 2010 onwards – just at the time when Pile said he was paid more by Bloom. | |
| So I emailed Pile again: | So I emailed Pile again: |
| Ben, actually maybe you can help me with something. I'm struggling to see what Godfrey Bloom has done re: climate/environment beyond a few (old) Youtube videos around Copenhagen conf period that are on his website and a couple of equally old speeches in parliament. He says he is a "substitute member on the Environment Committee". Materially, what does that involve week to week? Can you spell out precisely what he/you have done since early 2010 that would explain the £2k a month fee you mentioned as his researcher on this topic? | Ben, actually maybe you can help me with something. I'm struggling to see what Godfrey Bloom has done re: climate/environment beyond a few (old) Youtube videos around Copenhagen conf period that are on his website and a couple of equally old speeches in parliament. He says he is a "substitute member on the Environment Committee". Materially, what does that involve week to week? Can you spell out precisely what he/you have done since early 2010 that would explain the £2k a month fee you mentioned as his researcher on this topic? |
| He then replied to me and Towler: | He then replied to me and Towler: |
| Leo. Sorry, I don't have time to retrace 33 months of my activity for you, nor do I need to justify my pay to you. | Leo. Sorry, I don't have time to retrace 33 months of my activity for you, nor do I need to justify my pay to you. |
| So, that was that. But then a quick Google search threw up some more intrigue. Documents submitted last May by Ukip to a public inquiry held by North Devon Council into the building of a wind farm at Batsworthy Cross showed that Pile had appeared "on behalf" of Ukip. The documents (pdf) introduced Pile: | So, that was that. But then a quick Google search threw up some more intrigue. Documents submitted last May by Ukip to a public inquiry held by North Devon Council into the building of a wind farm at Batsworthy Cross showed that Pile had appeared "on behalf" of Ukip. The documents (pdf) introduced Pile: |
| Ben Pile is an independent researcher and writer. He is contracted to provide research for the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group in the European Parliament on climate and energy matters. He appears on behalf of Godfrey Bloom MEP and Paul Nuttall MEP, who are member/substitute member respectively of the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Food Safety and Public Health. He has a BA in Politics and Philosophy from the University of York. | Ben Pile is an independent researcher and writer. He is contracted to provide research for the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group in the European Parliament on climate and energy matters. He appears on behalf of Godfrey Bloom MEP and Paul Nuttall MEP, who are member/substitute member respectively of the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Food Safety and Public Health. He has a BA in Politics and Philosophy from the University of York. |
| This threw up even more questions. Why was Pile "appearing on behalf" of Bloom and Nuttall? Why were Bloom and Nuttall getting involved in this local planning issue, when neither of them represent north Devon? Does Pile work for Bloom, or for the EFD? Are MEP researchers allowed to get involved in local party issues in this way? | This threw up even more questions. Why was Pile "appearing on behalf" of Bloom and Nuttall? Why were Bloom and Nuttall getting involved in this local planning issue, when neither of them represent north Devon? Does Pile work for Bloom, or for the EFD? Are MEP researchers allowed to get involved in local party issues in this way? |
| I decided to contact the European parliament to check what the precise rules were governing MEP researchers. I would like to say that this cleared the fog, but it didn't. | I decided to contact the European parliament to check what the precise rules were governing MEP researchers. I would like to say that this cleared the fog, but it didn't. |
| After much asking around, I finally located the officials who oversaw the rules governing the use of, and payment of, researchers by MEPs. The issue was deemed sensitive enough that I was offered only an off-the-record briefing, which, in itself, seemed somewhat ludicrous given how simple my questions were. | After much asking around, I finally located the officials who oversaw the rules governing the use of, and payment of, researchers by MEPs. The issue was deemed sensitive enough that I was offered only an off-the-record briefing, which, in itself, seemed somewhat ludicrous given how simple my questions were. |
| Either way, I was pointed towards the "rules" governing MEP assistants: | Either way, I was pointed towards the "rules" governing MEP assistants: |
| Chapter 5, Article 33 Defrayal of parliamentary assistance expenses 1. Members shall be entitled to assistance from personal staff whom they may freely choose. Parliament shall defray expenses actually incurred and arising wholly and exclusively from the employment of one or more assistants or the use of service providers in accordance with these implementing measures and the conditions laid down by the Bureau. 2. Only expenses for assistance which is necessary and directly linked to the exercise of a Member's parliamentary mandate may be defrayed. Expenses linked to a Member's private life may on no account be defrayed. 3. Expenses shall be defrayable for the duration of a Member's term of office. 4. The maximum monthly amount defrayable in respect of all the personal staff referred to in Article 34 shall be EUR 17,540. | Chapter 5, Article 33 Defrayal of parliamentary assistance expenses 1. Members shall be entitled to assistance from personal staff whom they may freely choose. Parliament shall defray expenses actually incurred and arising wholly and exclusively from the employment of one or more assistants or the use of service providers in accordance with these implementing measures and the conditions laid down by the Bureau. 2. Only expenses for assistance which is necessary and directly linked to the exercise of a Member's parliamentary mandate may be defrayed. Expenses linked to a Member's private life may on no account be defrayed. 3. Expenses shall be defrayable for the duration of a Member's term of office. 4. The maximum monthly amount defrayable in respect of all the personal staff referred to in Article 34 shall be EUR 17,540. |
| Separately, I was directed to the rules governing how political groups receive funding directly from the parliamentary budget (the so-called "appropriations from budget 400") which cover the "administrative and operational expenditure of the political groups/ non-attached member's secretariat". I was told such funding cannot be used for: | Separately, I was directed to the rules governing how political groups receive funding directly from the parliamentary budget (the so-called "appropriations from budget 400") which cover the "administrative and operational expenditure of the political groups/ non-attached member's secretariat". I was told such funding cannot be used for: |
| * expenditure already covered by other items under the EP budget * financing of any form of European, national, regional or local electoral campaign; * acquisition of immovable property; * financing political parties at European level * acquisition of financial participation or ownership in any other organisation. | * expenditure already covered by other items under the EP budget * financing of any form of European, national, regional or local electoral campaign; * acquisition of immovable property; * financing political parties at European level * acquisition of financial participation or ownership in any other organisation. |
| I then asked who I needed to check with to see whether the use and payment of Pile fell within all these rules. I was told: "In principle, it would be for the financial services of Parliament and ultimately OLAF [the European anti-fraud office] and national authorities to establish that." | I then asked who I needed to check with to see whether the use and payment of Pile fell within all these rules. I was told: "In principle, it would be for the financial services of Parliament and ultimately OLAF [the European anti-fraud office] and national authorities to establish that." |
| I didn't see that it was necessary to escalate it to that level. I just wanted a simple steer on whether this was all within the rules or not as they seem so open to interpretation. After some more back and forth, I was directed to put my questions to the secretary-general of the EFD Group, as they were the ones signing off Bloom's researcher payments. That struck me as a somewhat biased source for guidance, given that EFD are, in part, one of the parties I'm actually seeking answers about, but I duly sent off an email on 10 October. In particular, I asked: | I didn't see that it was necessary to escalate it to that level. I just wanted a simple steer on whether this was all within the rules or not as they seem so open to interpretation. After some more back and forth, I was directed to put my questions to the secretary-general of the EFD Group, as they were the ones signing off Bloom's researcher payments. That struck me as a somewhat biased source for guidance, given that EFD are, in part, one of the parties I'm actually seeking answers about, but I duly sent off an email on 10 October. In particular, I asked: |
| Is such a representation [at the north Devon inquiry] within the rules of an MEP's researcher? Does Mr Pile's activities fall within Chapter 5 of the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, as well as the rules on the use of appropriations from budget item 400? As secretary general of the EFD Group, please can you explain your group's rules and procedures for policing the activities and payments to MEP's staff. What is your own understanding of how Mr Bloom justifies paying Mr Pile £2,000 a month? Please can you investigate this matter for me? | Is such a representation [at the north Devon inquiry] within the rules of an MEP's researcher? Does Mr Pile's activities fall within Chapter 5 of the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, as well as the rules on the use of appropriations from budget item 400? As secretary general of the EFD Group, please can you explain your group's rules and procedures for policing the activities and payments to MEP's staff. What is your own understanding of how Mr Bloom justifies paying Mr Pile £2,000 a month? Please can you investigate this matter for me? |
| The following day I received an email from Lynda Roughley, Godfrey Bloom's personal press officer, who had presumably been forwarded my request by EFD: | The following day I received an email from Lynda Roughley, Godfrey Bloom's personal press officer, who had presumably been forwarded my request by EFD: |
| Mr Piles (sic) is legitimately employed as a service provider to Godfrey Bloom, who is happy with the great work he does. Mr Piles represented Mr Bloom at the public meeting in Devon regarding wind farms as unfortunately Mr Bloom was unable to attend. | Mr Piles (sic) is legitimately employed as a service provider to Godfrey Bloom, who is happy with the great work he does. Mr Piles represented Mr Bloom at the public meeting in Devon regarding wind farms as unfortunately Mr Bloom was unable to attend. |
| A few minutes later she emailed a "further comment for clarification": | A few minutes later she emailed a "further comment for clarification": |
| Mr Piles is not employed as a parliamentary assistant, nor is he employed by the EFD Group. | Mr Piles is not employed as a parliamentary assistant, nor is he employed by the EFD Group. |
| As before, this seemed to raise more questions than it answered. I replied: | As before, this seemed to raise more questions than it answered. I replied: |
| So who is paying Mr Pile for his contracted work? Mr Bloom out of his own personal pocket? What has happened in the two weeks since Mr Pile emailed me? Has his contract work been terminated? Or is there some other explanation? Why was Mr Bloom planning to attend this local public hearing in Devon, when that is not within his MEP constituency of Yorkshire and the Humber? | So who is paying Mr Pile for his contracted work? Mr Bloom out of his own personal pocket? What has happened in the two weeks since Mr Pile emailed me? Has his contract work been terminated? Or is there some other explanation? Why was Mr Bloom planning to attend this local public hearing in Devon, when that is not within his MEP constituency of Yorkshire and the Humber? |
| I received no response. I asked again the following day, but also received no response. | I received no response. I asked again the following day, but also received no response. |
| (N.B. In the past week, Pile has released a new anti-wind video that he "produced and directed". It is described in the end titles as a "Polimedia Production for EFD" and the credits "give thanks" to, among others, Godfrey Bloom. It is "written and presented" by Steve Crowther, Ukip's chairman and the person who called Pile to appear at the North Devon public inquiry "on behalf" of Bloom.) | (N.B. In the past week, Pile has released a new anti-wind video that he "produced and directed". It is described in the end titles as a "Polimedia Production for EFD" and the credits "give thanks" to, among others, Godfrey Bloom. It is "written and presented" by Steve Crowther, Ukip's chairman and the person who called Pile to appear at the North Devon public inquiry "on behalf" of Bloom.) |
| Meanwhile, I had asked the press spokesman for the EU parliament's environment committee what involvement Bloom had as a "substitute member". Perhaps this could help explain the sums being paid each month to Pile if this provided Bloom with a heavy workload? The spokesman responded: | Meanwhile, I had asked the press spokesman for the EU parliament's environment committee what involvement Bloom had as a "substitute member". Perhaps this could help explain the sums being paid each month to Pile if this provided Bloom with a heavy workload? The spokesman responded: |
| I've been working for the environment committee the last 2 and a half years. I don't recall ever seeing him at a committee meeting debate or vote in that time. He has also not been a rapporteur or shadow rapporteur for any environment committee files as far as I know. (The committee appoints a "rapporteur" - aka draftsman - for each piece of draft legislation and the different political groupings appoint a 'shadow' to negotiate amendments to the texts.) The distinction between a member and substitute member isn't always very clear. There are MEPs who are have full "member" status on a committee but are basically inactive (e.g. because they are fully devoted elsewhere). There are MEPs who are "substitutes" but very active. So for a fuller picture you might find it helpful to check what Mr Bloom's activities are across the committees he sits on as a member (economic affairs and women's rights). From his profile page, there are links to his "parliamentary activities": | I've been working for the environment committee the last 2 and a half years. I don't recall ever seeing him at a committee meeting debate or vote in that time. He has also not been a rapporteur or shadow rapporteur for any environment committee files as far as I know. (The committee appoints a "rapporteur" - aka draftsman - for each piece of draft legislation and the different political groupings appoint a 'shadow' to negotiate amendments to the texts.) The distinction between a member and substitute member isn't always very clear. There are MEPs who are have full "member" status on a committee but are basically inactive (e.g. because they are fully devoted elsewhere). There are MEPs who are "substitutes" but very active. So for a fuller picture you might find it helpful to check what Mr Bloom's activities are across the committees he sits on as a member (economic affairs and women's rights). From his profile page, there are links to his "parliamentary activities": |
| I looked at that link – and on this link which shows his voting record – and I still can't see how his parliamentary activity justifies a dedicated climate and environment researcher, let alone one paid such sums. As one last throw of the dice, I contacted Bill Newton Dunn, the Liberal Democrat MEP who was, until recently, one of the EU parliament's five elected "quaestors" – MEPs who are "responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning members". He recommended I contact Jim Higgins, the Irish MEP who was recently elected to the role of quaestor. But three weeks later - after an email, a follow-up email, and several phone-calls to his office in Brussels - I have heard nothing other than a confirmation from his staff that Higgins had received my original email. Yet again, it's like wringing water from a stone. | I looked at that link – and on this link which shows his voting record – and I still can't see how his parliamentary activity justifies a dedicated climate and environment researcher, let alone one paid such sums. As one last throw of the dice, I contacted Bill Newton Dunn, the Liberal Democrat MEP who was, until recently, one of the EU parliament's five elected "quaestors" – MEPs who are "responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning members". He recommended I contact Jim Higgins, the Irish MEP who was recently elected to the role of quaestor. But three weeks later - after an email, a follow-up email, and several phone-calls to his office in Brussels - I have heard nothing other than a confirmation from his staff that Higgins had received my original email. Yet again, it's like wringing water from a stone. |
| I feel that neither Ukip, the EFD, or even the European parliament, have displayed the transparency you might hope for when faced with a seemingly simple question about how they are spending taxpayers' money. And I have only looked at this one case because it happened to catch my eye. There are 754 MEPs, all of whom, it seems, are entitled to spend Euros 17,540 a month (?!) on "personal staff", including researchers. Just don't ask any questions about how that money is actually being spent… | I feel that neither Ukip, the EFD, or even the European parliament, have displayed the transparency you might hope for when faced with a seemingly simple question about how they are spending taxpayers' money. And I have only looked at this one case because it happened to catch my eye. There are 754 MEPs, all of whom, it seems, are entitled to spend Euros 17,540 a month (?!) on "personal staff", including researchers. Just don't ask any questions about how that money is actually being spent… |
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