Tom Wise seems to have done a remarkable job of showing this reporter the extent of the gravy trian in Brussells...Did somebody tip him off as to who this "student" really was ?
The real crooks in Brussells are the Conservative MEPs who have sent all their expenses money , laundered through their European People's Party, to the YES TO LISBON campaign fund... whilst Cameron was pretending to oppose Lisbon in the Commons, because the average conservative voter does not approve of the EU.
They are so easily fooled.
Not surprised at all. Just spend a week in the shops, bars and restaurants around Berlaymont and you will hear them bragging, and see them shoppingas though there lives depend on it. I lived and worked in Brussels. Go to the Irish bars and just listen to their stories. They are happy to talk loudly so that everybody can here how much they are making on expenses etc..
When I wrote to my Tory MEP in 2006 for support on an improvement to the UK`s State Pension - the lowest State Pension based on national average earnings of all nations within the EU member nation states, his reply was - 'I would not like to see the UK State Pension scheme, however poor in comparison to EU member states, entering the same sort of system!'
Seems like a case of stuff you Jack I`m all right!
So come on, 'Big Debate' News of the World,
publish the whole facts on every UK MEP and indeed UK MP`s.
Let us - the people have all the facts! Perhaps we may all want to quit our jobs and become MEP`s and MP`s
I note some people think politicians might be "ashamed" of themselves.......mmmmmm.......people who don't know the meaning of the word "ENOUGH" I doubt can be shamed by anything.
It's crystal clear politicians be they MP's or MEP's only know the meaning of the words "I, ME, MY & Mine (and if it isn't mine I'll take it anyway), they are nothing but takers and users.
It's strange that whenever anyone appears to have been caught out they and their cronies are quick to say they have done nothing wrong, even when they have resigned they still say "I've done nothing wrong".
Let's face it we're talking about people, in this case Gordon Brown, who just 3 or 4years ago increased the state pension by a miserly 75p per week, the following week we found out why when he increased MP's salaries, expenses and allowances by an outrageous 13.5% which meant a minimum increase of £200 per WEEK, no wonder they all sat their with smiles on their faces slapping each other the back.....job well done Gordon.
What we should do is build a very high wall topped with razor wire, bolt and bar all doors and windows, install warders and call it Westminster Prison.
I personally do not vote but I do always go to the polling station to DESTROY my ballot slip, the reason is quit simple, I will never vote for people who I know are nothing short of criminals........and I suggest everyone do the same........they may well get the message then.
In the words of John Major they are all "bastards", I do appologise for my language but they are quick to direct and use derogetory langauge at us the electorate.
Personally I loathe and dispise all politicians and will continue to do so until there one I can vote for whom I beleive to be to be honest and trustworthy.....sadly I beleive that to be a long way off.
How do we go about making a new party that the public will run that will knock these other parties off their perches. Then when we are in government we can lower taxes and stop giving our money away to other countries and keep our wages in line with every other person in this country. We should have a say in how our money is spent and who gets expenses and who gets pay rises. Come on people lets do something we cant and wont sit around getting scammed by these miserable money grabbing people any more. They get away with it because we let them. I say make a new party for the people run by the people. Its our money after all surely we should say where it goes????????????
i concurr with everything christine says people should just copy and paste this letter and hopefully some of the mps including gordon brown will read this and actually feel ashamed of themselves
read on and if you think christine is right then copy and paste it is time these people should sit up and take notice of what the man in the street actually says, the only time they listen is when we are voting them in Labour MPs and (MEPs) are a disgrace, they "self police" and therefore operate as a law unto themselves, I find it hard to believe that MPs have the right ("or have given themselves the right!") to set their own wage level & expense budget without some form of "external" audit or at least a performance related pay scheme to gauge an MPs effectiveness, I think lack of principles and sleaze runs deep in todays politicians, exorbitant expense claims, MPs employing non existent offspring to name a few are all testament to the real "core values of todays MPs who no longer view the role of a British MP/MEP as an honour and a way to serve the Great British public but instead see it as a way to obtain privillages and ride the "Gravy train". Time and again MPs have been proven to be less than trustworthy which in any other profession would call for a competency criteria review and greater monitoring of these so called "principled leaders of democracy" and not by themselves or by any other linked "in their pocket bodies" but a real unbiased external auditor.
How can the goverment justify spending over £100,000+ of tax payers money in an attempt to keep their expenses secret?, ("The Masons are more transparent than an MPs/MEPs allowances"),
who in this day and age is given an open cheque book to the tune of 23,000+ p/a to go shopping with no receipts required? and all this underwritten by the tax payer. This type of self-regulation by MPs stinks of "nod's, winks and shady behind the scenes deals beween themselves, a perfect example of self-aggrandizement.
(Q) How often do MPs attend Parliment?, lets say once or twice a week at most, why don't they stay in a Hotel?, (Ps....Ritz, Hilton or any other luxury hotel most definately excluded). Why not follow standard business practice?, if i work away i stay in a hotel, there is absolutely no plausable reason for British MPs to have expensive tax payer funded second homes, all around hard working UK citizens are losing their homes it's just another case of double standards, the Labour Party motto should be "LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
well done christine i would vote for you
Labour MPs and (MEPs) are a disgrace, they "self police" and therefore operate as a law unto themselves, I find it hard to believe that MPs have the right ("or have given themselves the right!") to set their own wage level & expense budget without some form of "external" audit or at least a performance related pay scheme to gauge an MPs effectiveness, I think lack of principles and sleaze runs deep in todays politicians, exorbitant expense claims, MPs employing non existent offspring to name a few are all testament to the real "core values of todays MPs who no longer view the role of a British MP/MEP as an honour and a way to serve the Great British public but instead see it as a way to obtain privillages and ride the "Gravy train". Time and again MPs have been proven to be less than trustworthy which in any other profession would call for a competency criteria review and greater monitoring of these so called "principled leaders of democracy" and not by themselves or by any other linked "in their pocket bodies" but a real unbiased external auditor.
How can the goverment justify spending over £100,000+ of tax payers money in an attempt to keep their expenses secret?, ("The Masons are more transparent than an MPs/MEPs allowances"),
who in this day and age is given an open cheque book to the tune of 23,000+ p/a to go shopping with no receipts required? and all this underwritten by the tax payer. This type of self-regulation by MPs stinks of "nod's, winks and shady behind the scenes deals beween themselves, a perfect example of self-aggrandizement.
(Q) How often do MPs attend Parliment?, lets say once or twice a week at most, why don't they stay in a Hotel?, (Ps....Ritz, Hilton or any other luxury hotel most definately excluded). Why not follow standard business practice?, if i work away i stay in a hotel, there is absolutely no plausable reason for British MPs to have expensive tax payer funded second homes, all around hard working UK citizens are losing their homes it's just another case of double standards, the Labour Party motto should be "LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
I think everyone should stop going to work until this government steps down and a new one is formed by the UKIP and the BNP and maybe a minority showing of conservatives, we should immediatly get out of the EU, it's just a money scam that the politicians are in on, when you ask ANYONE what we get for the billions of pounds we give these 'people' no one can answer that's because the answer is NOTHING it's daylight robbery on the biggest scale ever known to man!!
We can but hope the Irish Referendrum results in a NO vote. Also about time Martin and all his cronies were kicked out of parliament, we have had a bit of luck getting rid of Blair ande USELESS Prescot in the past but a lot more need the BOOT. Our exhorbitant taxes are dished around the world with open hands also the MPs here have thier snouts firmly embedded in the trough BRITISH VOTERS GET WISE.
It's a shame that the hard working British people are treated like 'money sponges' to be continually 'rung out', decieved, denied, humoured and lied too by 'self serving EMPs, MPs, and other rats like Capitalist profiteers, who are given free rein by the goverment to exploit the people.
Isnt there one decent and honest EMP/MP in goverment who can be trusted to look after and protect the interests of the British people and not just there own? ("i'm not so sure"). MPs/EMPs are no more than 'fast talking conmen', i have nothing but total contempt for them, i would rather give Asama Bin Laden the time of day than a British EMP/MP.
There are a lot of hard-working dedicated MEPs who are in parliament sessions from first thing in the morning til late at night, spend their lunch "break" hosting a stakeholder event, their evening hosting/speaking at another stakeholder event, spend breaks between committee meetings/parliament sessions meeting constituents and interest groups and then spending their weekends attending still more meetings/public events etc. Add to this the fact that MEPs have to travel between their home country, Brussels & Strasbourg and I can tell you it's a tiring job (if you do it properly).
One point of information: many MEPs would gladly get rid of Strasbourg sessions (see the campaign www.oneseat.eu), but unfortunately, it is only the Council (EU governments) who can take that decision, which requires unanimity (i.e. France would have to agree...)
I am one of the MEPs accused of "exploiting the system" and "filling my boots". What had I actually done? I had found an administrative error in the calculation of my expenses by the parliament, and I had asked them to correct it. Some scandal. But I must say that I agree with those who say that we should simply close Brussels down. That is why I support the Better Off Out Campaign (www.betteroffout.co.uk). Readers may like to know that my salary today as an MEP is less than I earned in the private sector ten years ago -- despite a decade of inflation.
MPs have been on the take ever since it became possible. On the whole they are a greedy self interested ambitious and highly unattractive bunch. But before MPs were paid only the rich and privileged were able to take on the job and few people liked them either.
All politicians protect their own self-ily nterests whether in the UK Parliament or Europe. It is an elitist club and they have taken advantage of the taxpayer for years. As Directors of Companies have had stringent rules placed on them about disclosure of their expenses, and other matters relating to tax and the running of their companies, the same rule should apply to politicians. They even get to vote themselves payrises and high pensions with no restraint imposed on them. I would like to see them exist on the just the state pension with no big savings in their bank accounts, but that's never going to happen!! The Euro Parliament has been the biggest con of all and the sooner it is abolished and each country goes back to governing itself the better for Europe as a whole. Britain is not the country I grew up in and since the labour party took control it has changed behyond recognition and not for the better. Soon only the rich or the people on benefit will be able to live here - the rest of us will have to find somewhere cheaper to live, that's if Gordon Brown allows us???
Will Nigel Farage now reimburse the British taxpayer for his well-documented, expensive trip to a Strasburg lap-dancing club the other year? Or do the remaining 9 UKIP Eurocrats (out of 12 elected) intend to go on milking us for all we are worth until they are finally kicked out as posturing hypocrites at the next Euro elections?
Perhaps we should not be surprised when we realise that these are merely the bribes and bocellas made readily available to those willing to act as salesmen and women for betraying their Country and their peoples by acting to promote the evil values and lack of morality of this corrupt, centralised, undemocratic and unaccountable scam - that is so staggeringly damaging to the peoples not only of these United Kingdoms but to both UE members and the planet as a whole.
Not a single politician of repute has EVER provided a sound reason for the existence of the EU that is of any benefit to mankind that justifies the costs, dangers and risks - not to mention the loss of morality & integrity associated with institutionalised corruption.
I've read all the comments and agree with nearly every single one...and I would like to take action and put myself forward to rid our nation of the corruption and fraud...make everyone accountable including myself to the laws of our once great nation. We have Law's already in place, we just need them enforced.
It's no good saying what's wrong and complaining about it... we need to stand up and be counted. Stand up now for what is right and what is going on is NOT RIGHT. Let's put together a plan together and fight for our future and children's future...the truth is that we the British people will no longer stand by and be robbed by our own government and the EU dictatorship. Enough is Enough...let's take back our country our forefathers fought and died for. I want to lead us back to FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY...NOT A POLICE STATE OR EU DICTATORSHIP.
We should not allow any individual to be above the law...all law breakers should be punished including MEP's % MP's. When a politician does something wrong...he should be the one that pays for his mistake NOT the tax payer...agreed.
We need to restore accountability in everything we do, take responsibilty and control in our lives each & everyone of us. Be totally transparent, honest and truthful with each other and more considerate towards each other especially the less forunate.
If we can form an action team and get started laying all else aside...then please, let's START TODAY...AND BEGIN THE FIGHT BACK.
NO MORE FUEL TAXES, NO MORE FOOD RISE INCREASES, NO MORE FAT-CAT PAY INCREASES, NO EU DIRECTIVES, NO MORE FRAUD, NO MORE CORRUPTION, NO MORE DIS-HONEST POLITICIANS OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY, AND NO MORE RESTRICTIONS ON OUR FREEDOMS... and that's just for starters.
I think it is absolutely disgusting the way they are spending 'OUR' money. Its about time someone put a stop to this farce. How can they possibly claim expenses with out documentation to back it up. I would like to thank the News of the World for bringing this fiasco to our attention and hope that you can put forward something to stop it.
I believe that this is the tip of the iceberg that is politics today. The outcry over the 10p tax whilst I admit will effect many, will not do as much harm as the fuel rises. The government can do something, cut the tax. If petrol companies put fuel up by 5p why do the government increase the tax also. And this 10p tax band is taking the heat when realistically it's the MP's & MEP's salaries and expenses that are crippling this country. They GIVE billions to Europe for nothing, then TAKE millions for themselves. As if it's their right. The whole structure of government needs an overhaul, I'd begin by jailing all officials that have 'stolen' from the taxpayer, and recovering all the funds, in the same way as the do with criminals. Because thats what they are. Thieves all.
I am sorry if my previous 'comment' was too near to the truth for you to place on here. I will have another try now, just to say, "just suppose the 'Eurosceptics' are right about the Lisbon Treaty"?
You ask, "Do you think we can trust our MEP's". I no longer trust MEP's, MP's our Governments that do not keep the Manifesto promises to hold a referendum, that people believed they would hold a referendum when they voted Labour into power. There is no point in ANY Party making a Manifesto Promise any more-that is of course if we are not just ruled through the EU's Regional Assemblies for there really is no need of another Parliament because our new Government and Parliament will be in Brussels, won't it?
I am a local conservative councillor and I find it disgraceful that our MEPs, from all groups, are treating the people of this country, and those of Europe, with such disdain and disrespect.
The working people of this country have a difficult time making budgets stretch to meet the ever increasing costs of living.
Public servants should receive only the cost for re-imbursement of receipts on appropriate expenditure for reasonable travel and food on EU business.
Travel to and from their place of work should be, like every one else in this country at their own expence!
It is however the European Parliament that allows this to happen and given the rules, the enormous pay packets, and the total lack of control abuse will be rife.
Any MEP who is found guilty of misuse of public funding should resign or be sacked.
I work in Brussels and here's the thing: many MEPs are useless at what they do while a select group of MEPs are actually doing a great job.
Tom Wise Is part of the former: he's a disgrace and seems to think that crafting public policy is a joke of an exercise: I would beg to differ.
That having been said, the fact that they can collect the difference between first class and budget travel IS quite shocking.
As for staff: most of them hire public policy experts that do an amazing job, those who hire their relatives are definitely in the minority. Note that this happens in all national parliaments.
Having spoken to Tom Wise last night before watching your video, I was ready to believe he was set up, but now, I think in the interest of UKIP he should go and go now. As for the whole issue of the EU gravy train readers should understand that the system allows the majority of what the paper lists as abuses. I do not condone it, and as a UKIP member I want us out of the EU and this expose highlights very graphically why Ireland should vote no, and the House of Lords should also call for a referendum on the Reform Treaty before it is too late.
PPC South Swindon
Chairman UKIP Swindon
Tom Wise was elected on an anti-EU ticket (UKIP). This set-up is quite likely part of his campaign, and it looks like it's working, since most of the comments here sound like potential UKIP supporters. He's actually winning more backers with his appalling behaviour.
Either that or he really is stupider than stupid. Hmmm.
Many of us are aware of the slease committed by many in politics, here and in the E.U. Parliament. It is only by more investigative journalism that much of the M.Ps. and M.E.Ps. abuse of the money system is brought to light and seen by more members of the general public. Please continue to publish more about these wayward politicions in order that we are aware of them at the next elections.
Of course, much more money could be saved if we were to withdraw from the E.U.
John Saunders
A Sovereignty Bill has to be placed before Parliament after the next general election.
Before you vote and you can begin to ask now, ask whether your MP or candidate has signed the British Declaration of Independence, allegiance to the Crown. If the question is dodged you know who not to vote for.
Now that you have dared talk the truth about the E.U. corruption, how about telling some more truths.e.g. did you know that in the Lisbon Treaty there is a clause which states that all E.U. commissioners AND THE EUROPEAN POLICE are immune from prosecution for life.
In Europe the only police who could not be prosecuted were the S.S.!!!!
Why should anyone be above the law? more to the point what are they intending to do?
Did you know also that this Treaty is SELF AMENDING, so once ratified they can add, deduct or change anything they like without going back to national governments or the people.The E.U. has the constitution of a dictatorship and the Laws of a police state.WE MUST GET OUT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Basically the EU is a corrupt, undemocractic, inhumane and a racist union founded to form a political union rather than economic. Britain, get out of the EU now if you want to survive. It's not the public, not immigrants but the EU itself which will lead very soon to a third world war!!! Get out now
Basically the EU is a corrupt, undemocractic, inhumane and a racist union founded to form a political union rather than economic. Britain, get out of the EU now if you want to survive. It's not the public, not immigrants but the EU itself which will lead very soon to a third world war!!! Get out now
I honestly cannot understand National Leaders paying Billions of Pounds each and very year to BE IN the European Union and then paying on top of that to obey EU Rules and Regulations and to be fined very large sums if we do not reach targets set that we know we cannot reach. Kyoto is an absolute 'gem' for targets that cannot be reached. Bio-fuel targets are a good example. plus because of the minimum target set already, food will be short and highly priced and the target is to be upped-so what then.
Had this generation been around in WWII they would never ever agreed for this Country to do anything suggested by foreigners. We are being taken for a 'ride' and if any of you want to live in a free sovereign independent country, get out NOW, for you will never be "Free" after Lisbon.
It's the Council of Ministers and the Commission that run the EU. MEP's are just gravy train passengers there to give an appearance of 'democracy'(whatever the word means!)
Proper checks and balances on politicians can only be achieved via national government but the financiers/industrilaists who pull the strings sometimes find that national governments sometimes get in the way of their operations.
The EU was set up for the convenience of the power elite, not for the good of the people.
The elitists have to learn that our nations belong to the people, not to them. We want our promised referendum on the EU Constitution now.
If we do go into the EU there wont be another election. We will be in a one party
dictatorship where it will be a criminal offense to criticise the State or Party. We will be stuck with these money guzzeling pigs for years.
When is this going to stop? When are these pigs going to remember exactly WHO they work for? Why are there not checks and balances in place to stop all this fraudulent behaviour?
JOHN COLLINS: I totally agree with you. What can we do apart from voting them out? But what happens at the next election? Another load of greedy pigs will be born. How do we stop them?
Guy Fawkes knew what to do and had the right idea. Every one of them is corrupt and they have manufactured a system to allow them to become more corrupt and the larger the political arena becomes, the more and excessive will the scamming/thieving become. Vote for the MP/Euro MP you believe will be the least corrupt, but don't expect them to do anything for you other than squeeze your pay packet into their bank balance.
These are supposed to be our elected representatives working for us - but they only work for themselves. Mind you, if any of us were in a similar position as an MP or MEP I am sure that we would be doing the same thing. The Country gets the Government it deserves and we deserve it. If you want a change go on General Strike and force Gordo the Unworthy to hold a Referendum, then when we vote to leave the EU we can dispense with all the MEP's, Regional Government and all other hangers-on without pension and payments.
I can't believe the defeatest attitudes on here, the politicians do this because you sit back and don't say a word, the money they are grabbing is yours!! they may as well put their hand into your pay packet and take out half of what you worked for and put it in their own pockets and you say what can we do...organise and march like we did in the 70s it's our country take it back from the thieves that are trying to sell us out to foreigners and yes if the next elected government try the same thing then stand up and be counted again, we elect these people to do a job for us!! if they don't do that job and start stealing from the till would you really just walk away shrug and say what can we do.....come on DO SOMETHING!!!
It is time our Parliament admitted how corrupt the EU is and addressed the fraudulent misuse of taxpayers' money by raising a Bill to leave this undemocratic institution.
Another scandal to add to Westminster and Brussels. If we as ordinary working citizens did this we would be jailed for fraud etc.The only way out of this is back to the 70,s and National strikes until our voices are heard, which reminds me where have the trade unions hidden the last 30 years or do they live in a world of fraud as well, at members expenses, i think so.
Peter Kent
Your ask Can you trust MEP's. I ask can you trust any MP at all?
How can anyone trust any politician when even a British Prime Minister breaks a firm Manifesto Promise to hold a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty. The name might have changed but the contents most certainly have not, it still holds constitutional changes that the people must have a say on. How can any PM knowingly go against the wishes of the vast majority of people in this Country when he knows without doubt, that they do not want any further integration into this dictatorial EU, where even MEP's take advantage of a system that appears to have no control over its finances.
However. IT IS OUR MONEY THEY ARE USING AND CLAIMING. EVERY TIME THEY ABUSE THE SYSTEM IN THE EU PARLIAMENT AND NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS, IT IS OUR HARD EARNED TAXES THAT ARE PAYING THEM. BUT FOR HOW MUCH LONGER WILL WE CONTINUE TO PAY THEM?
If this Government goes against our wishes, even his signature on that Treaty will not speak for the people of this Country, for he is m,ost certainly not. He is ignoring the people that pay and ele him. The people's own Constitution will be the only Law that I for one will look to and legally so.
If our Country is in danger of being governed by foreign Laws and Regulations, the British born people of this Country are duty bound to defend it.
Only two good things have come out of the Treaty of Lisbon, otherwise known as the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe. The EU Flag and the Anthem, both were 'ditched' after the rejection of the former proposed Treaty and according to The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (H o L 25 Apr 2008) "The EU flag and anthem have no legal status in UK or EU law." So, even if UK legislation has been passed to hoist what was an EU Flag, as it is no longer a flag perhaps just an emblem, it could hardly be hoisted alongside our UK flag.
Why not send a copy of all the information you have gathered to each of the main party leaders and ask them what they think of this abuse of funds and what they intend to do about it. I am sure your readers would like to read their responses.
MEPs and Brussels are just a needless addition to the gravy train.
Scrap the lot, for anything where Mandelson is the top man and where Blair is waiting to climb on is corrupt .
Get rid.
This has been going on for years, and will continue unless governments take a stand against these lazy, money grabbing MEPs. Its obtaining money by lying and they should be nicked. However after a few weeks this will all be forgotten until the next expose by a national newspaper.
When you have an MEP openly stating he does not know what his job is, it makes you despair!!!!!
The fat cats are everywhere You only have to look at charities like the NSPCC, yes a children’s charity, and ask, why do the chairman Sir Christopher Kelly and vice chairman Anita Green need to pay them self’s each a wage of over £120,000 plus pension, shares, flash cars, trips abroad, and all the expenses they can get? Go to the NSPCC website and check out their annual accounts, page 44 makes good reading.
I left UKIP years ago after realizing the leadership do not WANT to succeed in anything other than deflecting the heat from the Tories and feed a few fat boy faces. UKIP leadership has exploited and betrayed all of its sincere members and is past its sell by date. Did you notice what UKIP did to fight the Libon Treaty / EU Constitution? No - nor did I. THESE creeps are worse than the pro EU people because they pretend to be different.
What aflaming nerve and cheek they moan about people being un employed and the econcomy why should every single person work and be forced to work or get there benefits stopped just so these greedy fatcats can pocket more of our money they moan about the unemployed being on benefits but what do they think they are technically on thereselves when scamming peoples taxes on there selves when doing no work which this money suposdely pays for talk about robbing the poor to give to the rich
Well thats Rich.Get Elected please when can I stand .Turn up when you like, get a free flight,office for nowt and staff chucked in.Only joking I couldnt do that Id give the expenses to charity why not.Youre elected to serve the public not fleece it.
I have read about this years ago, What! the ordinary Man/Woman ripped off, I don't believe it, Does anyone actually believe that those honest upright, ethical people (MEPs/MPs) etc. would actually lie to us, Good God!
No one will do anything so just sit there and take it, that is all the ordinary guy can do.
You vote for this party or that party, nothing will change, the little guy always gets scammed.
If you can't beat them - join'em - you may have all wondered why Brinley Williams - he who stood up to fuel charges going up a few years ago - well he is now an MEP - very wellheeled thankyou....
Why is it the backbone of Britain are working our ar**s off in order to live while these fatcats who are supposed to be delivering a better system for us are in fact cheating us of our hard earned cash?? Why is the government so two-faced? We follow their rules and regulations in paying taxes and not committing benefit fraud so why is it ultimately us who suffer? Why does the government let so many people scrounge off the system and not do anything about it but if I dont pay my taxes I would end up in prison? Something has got to be done. I dont want to bring my children up in a country that freely promotes sitting on your backside doing nothing while receiving benefits and milking the system.
Another thing, I cant believe that no one checks the MEPs expenses as all companies have to provide receipts for expense claims. Its common sense. Who isnt doing their job right here?
This scam has been known for years and others have been exposed. You do not make such mention of at least one Labour Lord and the well known wife of another Labour Lord
Since you think the EU is so corrupt why do you not promote how better the UK would be free from the EU e.g. cheaper food and why do you not support the cross party Campaign for an Independent Britain petition "I want the UK to leave the EU" which receives ready support on the streets?
What a joke ,the govenment need to rid us of these fraudsters for good, it just makes everyday law abiding people feel sick that this goes on. The only reason i do not vote at local and national elections is because they are all running for positions where they can just steal from the tax payers and laugh in our faces Gordon Brown get rid of these parisites NOW.
The goverment are spending a fortune on advertising 'shop a benefit cheat' perhaps it is time they put their own house in order and if the Labour goverment have signed over so much power and decision making to the EU, why do we still need the same amount of MPs and staff in Whitehall, isn't it time a few redundancys where dished out, like manufacturing industries (that this goverment have destroyed) have had to do. Sadly though, there isn't a viable alternative party that can be trusted, as the silly comments of Boris the new mayor have proved.
You are not telling the voters of britain anything new its time for britain to remove itself from europe and the EU with its self indulgent rules that are meant to destroy the british and our way of life ..remove ourselves from europe before its to late and then maybe we could become self surficiant once more and feed ourselves rather than rely on europe for everything.
The entire philosophy of the the European Union, with its power-lusting policies and its parasitical bureaucrats mirrors the statist government featured in Ayn Rand's famous political novel, "Atlas Shrugged". Why on earth have the British signed themselves up to this?? Where's Brittania when you need her?
i always knew we shouldn`t have joined the eu but we are stuck with it. the fat cat eu mp`s or whatever they call thenselves should be made to pay back all the money they have milked from the system. i am proud to be British but not ptoud to be classed as European
As they are all at it who is going to rock the boat? I hope the News of The World manages to do something about this corrupt system but i have my doubts.Politicians, as we all know get far too much money for doing naff all. No wonder they are all so out of touch with reality.
politicans have no idea how people struggle to make ends meet because they earn too much money and they live in their own little bubble so how can they possibly respresent or understand what we go through
These fat idiots do nothing for us and get well paid for it,We all need to stand together and start making ourselves heard that we wont allow these thieves to steal our money which we work hard for
You get what you vote for. The misguided and naive fools that voted these Tory and UKIP idiots in (despite their vocal objection to all things European in the first place although they are quite happy to take the money from it) deserve the greedy selfish stuck up arrogant pigs they've got.
Yes of course the European Parliament needs to tighten it's procedures up, but ultimately it is these individuals that are exploiting the system with no morality at all.
Being part of the European Union gives us more benefits than I can possibly begin to type here; go and google for goodness sake and look at the facts instead of giving us your xenophobic and ignorant rants.
I hope these individual MEPs who give all of them a bad name are fully investigated. Many MEPs work damn hard for their constituents and their countries and do some great work to make Europe a better, safer and more prosperous place.
I hope in future the British public are less stupid about who they vote for. But I doubt very much, having read regularly the dumb comments of the right wing who spread their vitriol on the tabloids websites, that they ever will be.
Now would be a good time for the british voting public to say an enough is enough the time is right to get out of this club that cost us more than we can afford and sped the money on are own needs like NHS, ARMED FORCES,
ROADS & HIGHWAYS, PENSIONERS, AND ANY OTHER WORTH WHILE PRODJECTS,WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY.
I thank you for your article it highlights are short comings as a nation
Robert Brunton
What is the point! The whole setup is corrupt as hell. Look closer to home. There is nothing Joe Mug can do to stop these thieves. Councillors MPs EU MPS the GRAVY TRAIN IS ROLLING.
What is the point of bothering about Scamming MEPs.They will all cover each others activities and by the time they are exposed (if ever) they have made a fortune from the tax paying suckers. The only way this will ever be controlled is via some sort of violent insurrection by the people supported by the military.
It is our fault allowing MEPs such freedom or even being a part of the whole corrupt organisation. IF you want to find organised crime look to Brussels and strasbourg
pull out of europe there is no benifit to be gained for the person in the street.
MEP's are a disgrace bring them home.LEAVE EUROPE GIVE US BACK OUR FREEDOM. lets have the british leading the british shed the EU shackles.
I have worked in Brussels myself and seen it only too openly, these people actually believe the are making a contribution to the EU and blighty...! Get over yourselves.. Brussels and Strasbourg are all about keeping the greedy in a job..
Its fraud plain and simple, hand the evidence to the tax man, it is also unearned income !
To be so open about this abuse... this oaf needs outing.
we should get out of the EU TODAY!!
it is worse than having Hitler at the helm
Posted by: mark, uk | June 23, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Tom Wise seems to have done a remarkable job of showing this reporter the extent of the gravy trian in Brussells...Did somebody tip him off as to who this "student" really was ?
The real crooks in Brussells are the Conservative MEPs who have sent all their expenses money , laundered through their European People's Party, to the YES TO LISBON campaign fund... whilst Cameron was pretending to oppose Lisbon in the Commons, because the average conservative voter does not approve of the EU.
They are so easily fooled.
Posted by: Jonathan Oakton | June 23, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Not surprised at all. Just spend a week in the shops, bars and restaurants around Berlaymont and you will hear them bragging, and see them shoppingas though there lives depend on it. I lived and worked in Brussels. Go to the Irish bars and just listen to their stories. They are happy to talk loudly so that everybody can here how much they are making on expenses etc..
Posted by: Dave King | June 12, 2008 at 05:39 AM
When I wrote to my Tory MEP in 2006 for support on an improvement to the UK`s State Pension - the lowest State Pension based on national average earnings of all nations within the EU member nation states, his reply was - 'I would not like to see the UK State Pension scheme, however poor in comparison to EU member states, entering the same sort of system!'
Seems like a case of stuff you Jack I`m all right!
So come on, 'Big Debate' News of the World,
publish the whole facts on every UK MEP and indeed UK MP`s.
Let us - the people have all the facts! Perhaps we may all want to quit our jobs and become MEP`s and MP`s
Posted by: John Barnes | June 11, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I note some people think politicians might be "ashamed" of themselves.......mmmmmm.......people who don't know the meaning of the word "ENOUGH" I doubt can be shamed by anything.
It's crystal clear politicians be they MP's or MEP's only know the meaning of the words "I, ME, MY & Mine (and if it isn't mine I'll take it anyway), they are nothing but takers and users.
It's strange that whenever anyone appears to have been caught out they and their cronies are quick to say they have done nothing wrong, even when they have resigned they still say "I've done nothing wrong".
Let's face it we're talking about people, in this case Gordon Brown, who just 3 or 4years ago increased the state pension by a miserly 75p per week, the following week we found out why when he increased MP's salaries, expenses and allowances by an outrageous 13.5% which meant a minimum increase of £200 per WEEK, no wonder they all sat their with smiles on their faces slapping each other the back.....job well done Gordon.
What we should do is build a very high wall topped with razor wire, bolt and bar all doors and windows, install warders and call it Westminster Prison.
I personally do not vote but I do always go to the polling station to DESTROY my ballot slip, the reason is quit simple, I will never vote for people who I know are nothing short of criminals........and I suggest everyone do the same........they may well get the message then.
In the words of John Major they are all "bastards", I do appologise for my language but they are quick to direct and use derogetory langauge at us the electorate.
Personally I loathe and dispise all politicians and will continue to do so until there one I can vote for whom I beleive to be to be honest and trustworthy.....sadly I beleive that to be a long way off.
Bryan
Posted by: Bryan Lockhart | June 08, 2008 at 08:10 AM
How do we go about making a new party that the public will run that will knock these other parties off their perches. Then when we are in government we can lower taxes and stop giving our money away to other countries and keep our wages in line with every other person in this country. We should have a say in how our money is spent and who gets expenses and who gets pay rises. Come on people lets do something we cant and wont sit around getting scammed by these miserable money grabbing people any more. They get away with it because we let them. I say make a new party for the people run by the people. Its our money after all surely we should say where it goes????????????
Posted by: Viv | June 03, 2008 at 08:18 AM
i concurr with everything christine says people should just copy and paste this letter and hopefully some of the mps including gordon brown will read this and actually feel ashamed of themselves
read on and if you think christine is right then copy and paste it is time these people should sit up and take notice of what the man in the street actually says, the only time they listen is when we are voting them in Labour MPs and (MEPs) are a disgrace, they "self police" and therefore operate as a law unto themselves, I find it hard to believe that MPs have the right ("or have given themselves the right!") to set their own wage level & expense budget without some form of "external" audit or at least a performance related pay scheme to gauge an MPs effectiveness, I think lack of principles and sleaze runs deep in todays politicians, exorbitant expense claims, MPs employing non existent offspring to name a few are all testament to the real "core values of todays MPs who no longer view the role of a British MP/MEP as an honour and a way to serve the Great British public but instead see it as a way to obtain privillages and ride the "Gravy train". Time and again MPs have been proven to be less than trustworthy which in any other profession would call for a competency criteria review and greater monitoring of these so called "principled leaders of democracy" and not by themselves or by any other linked "in their pocket bodies" but a real unbiased external auditor.
How can the goverment justify spending over £100,000+ of tax payers money in an attempt to keep their expenses secret?, ("The Masons are more transparent than an MPs/MEPs allowances"),
who in this day and age is given an open cheque book to the tune of 23,000+ p/a to go shopping with no receipts required? and all this underwritten by the tax payer. This type of self-regulation by MPs stinks of "nod's, winks and shady behind the scenes deals beween themselves, a perfect example of self-aggrandizement.
(Q) How often do MPs attend Parliment?, lets say once or twice a week at most, why don't they stay in a Hotel?, (Ps....Ritz, Hilton or any other luxury hotel most definately excluded). Why not follow standard business practice?, if i work away i stay in a hotel, there is absolutely no plausable reason for British MPs to have expensive tax payer funded second homes, all around hard working UK citizens are losing their homes it's just another case of double standards, the Labour Party motto should be "LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
well done christine i would vote for you
Posted by: sandra ritchie | June 02, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Labour MPs and (MEPs) are a disgrace, they "self police" and therefore operate as a law unto themselves, I find it hard to believe that MPs have the right ("or have given themselves the right!") to set their own wage level & expense budget without some form of "external" audit or at least a performance related pay scheme to gauge an MPs effectiveness, I think lack of principles and sleaze runs deep in todays politicians, exorbitant expense claims, MPs employing non existent offspring to name a few are all testament to the real "core values of todays MPs who no longer view the role of a British MP/MEP as an honour and a way to serve the Great British public but instead see it as a way to obtain privillages and ride the "Gravy train". Time and again MPs have been proven to be less than trustworthy which in any other profession would call for a competency criteria review and greater monitoring of these so called "principled leaders of democracy" and not by themselves or by any other linked "in their pocket bodies" but a real unbiased external auditor.
How can the goverment justify spending over £100,000+ of tax payers money in an attempt to keep their expenses secret?, ("The Masons are more transparent than an MPs/MEPs allowances"),
who in this day and age is given an open cheque book to the tune of 23,000+ p/a to go shopping with no receipts required? and all this underwritten by the tax payer. This type of self-regulation by MPs stinks of "nod's, winks and shady behind the scenes deals beween themselves, a perfect example of self-aggrandizement.
(Q) How often do MPs attend Parliment?, lets say once or twice a week at most, why don't they stay in a Hotel?, (Ps....Ritz, Hilton or any other luxury hotel most definately excluded). Why not follow standard business practice?, if i work away i stay in a hotel, there is absolutely no plausable reason for British MPs to have expensive tax payer funded second homes, all around hard working UK citizens are losing their homes it's just another case of double standards, the Labour Party motto should be "LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
Posted by: Chris Hickman | June 02, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I think everyone should stop going to work until this government steps down and a new one is formed by the UKIP and the BNP and maybe a minority showing of conservatives, we should immediatly get out of the EU, it's just a money scam that the politicians are in on, when you ask ANYONE what we get for the billions of pounds we give these 'people' no one can answer that's because the answer is NOTHING it's daylight robbery on the biggest scale ever known to man!!
Posted by: Barb Miller | June 02, 2008 at 12:25 AM
MEP'S BUNCH OF WORTHLESS PARASITES GET RID OFF!!
Posted by: JOHN GENE ZENT | June 01, 2008 at 04:17 PM
We can but hope the Irish Referendrum results in a NO vote. Also about time Martin and all his cronies were kicked out of parliament, we have had a bit of luck getting rid of Blair ande USELESS Prescot in the past but a lot more need the BOOT. Our exhorbitant taxes are dished around the world with open hands also the MPs here have thier snouts firmly embedded in the trough BRITISH VOTERS GET WISE.
Posted by: j larder | June 01, 2008 at 09:27 AM
It's a shame that the hard working British people are treated like 'money sponges' to be continually 'rung out', decieved, denied, humoured and lied too by 'self serving EMPs, MPs, and other rats like Capitalist profiteers, who are given free rein by the goverment to exploit the people.
Isnt there one decent and honest EMP/MP in goverment who can be trusted to look after and protect the interests of the British people and not just there own? ("i'm not so sure"). MPs/EMPs are no more than 'fast talking conmen', i have nothing but total contempt for them, i would rather give Asama Bin Laden the time of day than a British EMP/MP.
Posted by: Chris Hickman | May 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM
There are a lot of hard-working dedicated MEPs who are in parliament sessions from first thing in the morning til late at night, spend their lunch "break" hosting a stakeholder event, their evening hosting/speaking at another stakeholder event, spend breaks between committee meetings/parliament sessions meeting constituents and interest groups and then spending their weekends attending still more meetings/public events etc. Add to this the fact that MEPs have to travel between their home country, Brussels & Strasbourg and I can tell you it's a tiring job (if you do it properly).
One point of information: many MEPs would gladly get rid of Strasbourg sessions (see the campaign www.oneseat.eu), but unfortunately, it is only the Council (EU governments) who can take that decision, which requires unanimity (i.e. France would have to agree...)
Posted by: Rebecca Taylor | May 20, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I am one of the MEPs accused of "exploiting the system" and "filling my boots". What had I actually done? I had found an administrative error in the calculation of my expenses by the parliament, and I had asked them to correct it. Some scandal. But I must say that I agree with those who say that we should simply close Brussels down. That is why I support the Better Off Out Campaign (www.betteroffout.co.uk). Readers may like to know that my salary today as an MEP is less than I earned in the private sector ten years ago -- despite a decade of inflation.
Posted by: Roger Helmer | May 18, 2008 at 06:05 PM
MPs have been on the take ever since it became possible. On the whole they are a greedy self interested ambitious and highly unattractive bunch. But before MPs were paid only the rich and privileged were able to take on the job and few people liked them either.
Posted by: Simon Marshland | May 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
All politicians protect their own self-ily nterests whether in the UK Parliament or Europe. It is an elitist club and they have taken advantage of the taxpayer for years. As Directors of Companies have had stringent rules placed on them about disclosure of their expenses, and other matters relating to tax and the running of their companies, the same rule should apply to politicians. They even get to vote themselves payrises and high pensions with no restraint imposed on them. I would like to see them exist on the just the state pension with no big savings in their bank accounts, but that's never going to happen!! The Euro Parliament has been the biggest con of all and the sooner it is abolished and each country goes back to governing itself the better for Europe as a whole. Britain is not the country I grew up in and since the labour party took control it has changed behyond recognition and not for the better. Soon only the rich or the people on benefit will be able to live here - the rest of us will have to find somewhere cheaper to live, that's if Gordon Brown allows us???
Posted by: Carol Morris | May 17, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Will Nigel Farage now reimburse the British taxpayer for his well-documented, expensive trip to a Strasburg lap-dancing club the other year? Or do the remaining 9 UKIP Eurocrats (out of 12 elected) intend to go on milking us for all we are worth until they are finally kicked out as posturing hypocrites at the next Euro elections?
Posted by: Ian Hills | May 15, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Perhaps we should not be surprised when we realise that these are merely the bribes and bocellas made readily available to those willing to act as salesmen and women for betraying their Country and their peoples by acting to promote the evil values and lack of morality of this corrupt, centralised, undemocratic and unaccountable scam - that is so staggeringly damaging to the peoples not only of these United Kingdoms but to both UE members and the planet as a whole.
Not a single politician of repute has EVER provided a sound reason for the existence of the EU that is of any benefit to mankind that justifies the costs, dangers and risks - not to mention the loss of morality & integrity associated with institutionalised corruption.
Posted by: Greg L-W. | May 14, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I've read all the comments and agree with nearly every single one...and I would like to take action and put myself forward to rid our nation of the corruption and fraud...make everyone accountable including myself to the laws of our once great nation. We have Law's already in place, we just need them enforced.
It's no good saying what's wrong and complaining about it... we need to stand up and be counted. Stand up now for what is right and what is going on is NOT RIGHT. Let's put together a plan together and fight for our future and children's future...the truth is that we the British people will no longer stand by and be robbed by our own government and the EU dictatorship. Enough is Enough...let's take back our country our forefathers fought and died for. I want to lead us back to FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY...NOT A POLICE STATE OR EU DICTATORSHIP.
We should not allow any individual to be above the law...all law breakers should be punished including MEP's % MP's. When a politician does something wrong...he should be the one that pays for his mistake NOT the tax payer...agreed.
We need to restore accountability in everything we do, take responsibilty and control in our lives each & everyone of us. Be totally transparent, honest and truthful with each other and more considerate towards each other especially the less forunate.
If we can form an action team and get started laying all else aside...then please, let's START TODAY...AND BEGIN THE FIGHT BACK.
NO MORE FUEL TAXES, NO MORE FOOD RISE INCREASES, NO MORE FAT-CAT PAY INCREASES, NO EU DIRECTIVES, NO MORE FRAUD, NO MORE CORRUPTION, NO MORE DIS-HONEST POLITICIANS OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY, AND NO MORE RESTRICTIONS ON OUR FREEDOMS... and that's just for starters.
Posted by: Robert H. Brown | May 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I think it is absolutely disgusting the way they are spending 'OUR' money. Its about time someone put a stop to this farce. How can they possibly claim expenses with out documentation to back it up. I would like to thank the News of the World for bringing this fiasco to our attention and hope that you can put forward something to stop it.
Posted by: Elaine Goddard | May 14, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I believe that this is the tip of the iceberg that is politics today. The outcry over the 10p tax whilst I admit will effect many, will not do as much harm as the fuel rises. The government can do something, cut the tax. If petrol companies put fuel up by 5p why do the government increase the tax also. And this 10p tax band is taking the heat when realistically it's the MP's & MEP's salaries and expenses that are crippling this country. They GIVE billions to Europe for nothing, then TAKE millions for themselves. As if it's their right. The whole structure of government needs an overhaul, I'd begin by jailing all officials that have 'stolen' from the taxpayer, and recovering all the funds, in the same way as the do with criminals. Because thats what they are. Thieves all.
Posted by: Alan Johnson | May 14, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I am sorry if my previous 'comment' was too near to the truth for you to place on here. I will have another try now, just to say, "just suppose the 'Eurosceptics' are right about the Lisbon Treaty"?
You ask, "Do you think we can trust our MEP's". I no longer trust MEP's, MP's our Governments that do not keep the Manifesto promises to hold a referendum, that people believed they would hold a referendum when they voted Labour into power. There is no point in ANY Party making a Manifesto Promise any more-that is of course if we are not just ruled through the EU's Regional Assemblies for there really is no need of another Parliament because our new Government and Parliament will be in Brussels, won't it?
Posted by: Anne Palmer | May 13, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I am a local conservative councillor and I find it disgraceful that our MEPs, from all groups, are treating the people of this country, and those of Europe, with such disdain and disrespect.
The working people of this country have a difficult time making budgets stretch to meet the ever increasing costs of living.
Public servants should receive only the cost for re-imbursement of receipts on appropriate expenditure for reasonable travel and food on EU business.
Travel to and from their place of work should be, like every one else in this country at their own expence!
It is however the European Parliament that allows this to happen and given the rules, the enormous pay packets, and the total lack of control abuse will be rife.
Any MEP who is found guilty of misuse of public funding should resign or be sacked.
Posted by: Cllr Steven Pritchard | May 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I work in Brussels and here's the thing: many MEPs are useless at what they do while a select group of MEPs are actually doing a great job.
Tom Wise Is part of the former: he's a disgrace and seems to think that crafting public policy is a joke of an exercise: I would beg to differ.
That having been said, the fact that they can collect the difference between first class and budget travel IS quite shocking.
As for staff: most of them hire public policy experts that do an amazing job, those who hire their relatives are definitely in the minority. Note that this happens in all national parliaments.
Vote this guy out of office - please !
Posted by: ThomasE-B | May 13, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Having spoken to Tom today and in the past, he has told people openly of these expenses as he is against the system and rightly so.
What your reporter has shown seems to be within the rules and it is these stupid rules that give UKIP the votes and reasons for wanting out.
Posted by: Bedfordshire Councillor | May 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Hahaha, I hope at least he banged the girl!
Posted by: mailman | May 13, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Having spoken to Tom Wise last night before watching your video, I was ready to believe he was set up, but now, I think in the interest of UKIP he should go and go now. As for the whole issue of the EU gravy train readers should understand that the system allows the majority of what the paper lists as abuses. I do not condone it, and as a UKIP member I want us out of the EU and this expose highlights very graphically why Ireland should vote no, and the House of Lords should also call for a referendum on the Reform Treaty before it is too late.
PPC South Swindon
Chairman UKIP Swindon
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez | May 13, 2008 at 08:19 AM
This idiot Tom Wise needs to be thrown out on his ear after admitting such gross acts of stealing taxpayers money.
I intend to sue him in the near future. I want my money back.
Posted by: Dek Crossingham | May 13, 2008 at 12:06 AM
why arnt these fiddlers going to jail for stealing our money. its time we stood up for ourselves and stop being door mats.
Posted by: adrian williams | May 12, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Tom Wise was elected on an anti-EU ticket (UKIP). This set-up is quite likely part of his campaign, and it looks like it's working, since most of the comments here sound like potential UKIP supporters. He's actually winning more backers with his appalling behaviour.
Either that or he really is stupider than stupid. Hmmm.
Posted by: wisterious | May 12, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Many of us are aware of the slease committed by many in politics, here and in the E.U. Parliament. It is only by more investigative journalism that much of the M.Ps. and M.E.Ps. abuse of the money system is brought to light and seen by more members of the general public. Please continue to publish more about these wayward politicions in order that we are aware of them at the next elections.
Of course, much more money could be saved if we were to withdraw from the E.U.
John Saunders
Posted by: John W. J. Saunders | May 12, 2008 at 02:18 PM
A Sovereignty Bill has to be placed before Parliament after the next general election.
Before you vote and you can begin to ask now, ask whether your MP or candidate has signed the British Declaration of Independence, allegiance to the Crown. If the question is dodged you know who not to vote for.
Posted by: George West | May 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Now that you have dared talk the truth about the E.U. corruption, how about telling some more truths.e.g. did you know that in the Lisbon Treaty there is a clause which states that all E.U. commissioners AND THE EUROPEAN POLICE are immune from prosecution for life.
In Europe the only police who could not be prosecuted were the S.S.!!!!
Why should anyone be above the law? more to the point what are they intending to do?
Did you know also that this Treaty is SELF AMENDING, so once ratified they can add, deduct or change anything they like without going back to national governments or the people.The E.U. has the constitution of a dictatorship and the Laws of a police state.WE MUST GET OUT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Posted by: carole bragg | May 12, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Basically the EU is a corrupt, undemocractic, inhumane and a racist union founded to form a political union rather than economic. Britain, get out of the EU now if you want to survive. It's not the public, not immigrants but the EU itself which will lead very soon to a third world war!!! Get out now
Posted by: M6 | May 12, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Basically the EU is a corrupt, undemocractic, inhumane and a racist union founded to form a political union rather than economic. Britain, get out of the EU now if you want to survive. It's not the public, not immigrants but the EU itself which will lead very soon to a third world war!!! Get out now
Posted by: M6 | May 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I honestly cannot understand National Leaders paying Billions of Pounds each and very year to BE IN the European Union and then paying on top of that to obey EU Rules and Regulations and to be fined very large sums if we do not reach targets set that we know we cannot reach. Kyoto is an absolute 'gem' for targets that cannot be reached. Bio-fuel targets are a good example. plus because of the minimum target set already, food will be short and highly priced and the target is to be upped-so what then.
Had this generation been around in WWII they would never ever agreed for this Country to do anything suggested by foreigners. We are being taken for a 'ride' and if any of you want to live in a free sovereign independent country, get out NOW, for you will never be "Free" after Lisbon.
Posted by: Anne Palmer | May 12, 2008 at 11:30 AM
It's the Council of Ministers and the Commission that run the EU. MEP's are just gravy train passengers there to give an appearance of 'democracy'(whatever the word means!)
Proper checks and balances on politicians can only be achieved via national government but the financiers/industrilaists who pull the strings sometimes find that national governments sometimes get in the way of their operations.
The EU was set up for the convenience of the power elite, not for the good of the people.
The elitists have to learn that our nations belong to the people, not to them. We want our promised referendum on the EU Constitution now.
Posted by: Robert | May 12, 2008 at 07:16 AM
where can i sign for becoming an mep, pls?
this is absolutely shameful.
Posted by: isabel superrake | May 12, 2008 at 01:27 AM
If we do go into the EU there wont be another election. We will be in a one party
dictatorship where it will be a criminal offense to criticise the State or Party. We will be stuck with these money guzzeling pigs for years.
Posted by: Mike Watson | May 12, 2008 at 01:00 AM
When is this going to stop? When are these pigs going to remember exactly WHO they work for? Why are there not checks and balances in place to stop all this fraudulent behaviour?
JOHN COLLINS: I totally agree with you. What can we do apart from voting them out? But what happens at the next election? Another load of greedy pigs will be born. How do we stop them?
Posted by: Nancy Durham | May 12, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Guy Fawkes knew what to do and had the right idea. Every one of them is corrupt and they have manufactured a system to allow them to become more corrupt and the larger the political arena becomes, the more and excessive will the scamming/thieving become. Vote for the MP/Euro MP you believe will be the least corrupt, but don't expect them to do anything for you other than squeeze your pay packet into their bank balance.
Posted by: Glynn Goddard | May 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM
These are supposed to be our elected representatives working for us - but they only work for themselves. Mind you, if any of us were in a similar position as an MP or MEP I am sure that we would be doing the same thing. The Country gets the Government it deserves and we deserve it. If you want a change go on General Strike and force Gordo the Unworthy to hold a Referendum, then when we vote to leave the EU we can dispense with all the MEP's, Regional Government and all other hangers-on without pension and payments.
Posted by: John Collins | May 11, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I can't believe the defeatest attitudes on here, the politicians do this because you sit back and don't say a word, the money they are grabbing is yours!! they may as well put their hand into your pay packet and take out half of what you worked for and put it in their own pockets and you say what can we do...organise and march like we did in the 70s it's our country take it back from the thieves that are trying to sell us out to foreigners and yes if the next elected government try the same thing then stand up and be counted again, we elect these people to do a job for us!! if they don't do that job and start stealing from the till would you really just walk away shrug and say what can we do.....come on DO SOMETHING!!!
Posted by: Barb Miller | May 11, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Its time to leave Europe and the sooner the better
Posted by: syd | May 11, 2008 at 08:06 PM
It is time our Parliament admitted how corrupt the EU is and addressed the fraudulent misuse of taxpayers' money by raising a Bill to leave this undemocratic institution.
Posted by: Jenny Sleep | May 11, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Another scandal to add to Westminster and Brussels. If we as ordinary working citizens did this we would be jailed for fraud etc.The only way out of this is back to the 70,s and National strikes until our voices are heard, which reminds me where have the trade unions hidden the last 30 years or do they live in a world of fraud as well, at members expenses, i think so.
Peter Kent
Posted by: Peter Kent | May 11, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Your ask Can you trust MEP's. I ask can you trust any MP at all?
How can anyone trust any politician when even a British Prime Minister breaks a firm Manifesto Promise to hold a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty. The name might have changed but the contents most certainly have not, it still holds constitutional changes that the people must have a say on. How can any PM knowingly go against the wishes of the vast majority of people in this Country when he knows without doubt, that they do not want any further integration into this dictatorial EU, where even MEP's take advantage of a system that appears to have no control over its finances.
However. IT IS OUR MONEY THEY ARE USING AND CLAIMING. EVERY TIME THEY ABUSE THE SYSTEM IN THE EU PARLIAMENT AND NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS, IT IS OUR HARD EARNED TAXES THAT ARE PAYING THEM. BUT FOR HOW MUCH LONGER WILL WE CONTINUE TO PAY THEM?
If this Government goes against our wishes, even his signature on that Treaty will not speak for the people of this Country, for he is m,ost certainly not. He is ignoring the people that pay and ele him. The people's own Constitution will be the only Law that I for one will look to and legally so.
If our Country is in danger of being governed by foreign Laws and Regulations, the British born people of this Country are duty bound to defend it.
Only two good things have come out of the Treaty of Lisbon, otherwise known as the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe. The EU Flag and the Anthem, both were 'ditched' after the rejection of the former proposed Treaty and according to The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (H o L 25 Apr 2008) "The EU flag and anthem have no legal status in UK or EU law." So, even if UK legislation has been passed to hoist what was an EU Flag, as it is no longer a flag perhaps just an emblem, it could hardly be hoisted alongside our UK flag.
Trust? Honour? integrity? All things of the past.
Posted by: Anne Palmer | May 11, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Why not send a copy of all the information you have gathered to each of the main party leaders and ask them what they think of this abuse of funds and what they intend to do about it. I am sure your readers would like to read their responses.
Posted by: Douglas | May 11, 2008 at 05:48 PM
MEPs and Brussels are just a needless addition to the gravy train.
Scrap the lot, for anything where Mandelson is the top man and where Blair is waiting to climb on is corrupt .
Get rid.
Posted by: mal b | May 11, 2008 at 05:48 PM
This has been going on for years, and will continue unless governments take a stand against these lazy, money grabbing MEPs. Its obtaining money by lying and they should be nicked. However after a few weeks this will all be forgotten until the next expose by a national newspaper.
When you have an MEP openly stating he does not know what his job is, it makes you despair!!!!!
Posted by: G Roberts | May 11, 2008 at 05:18 PM
The fat cats are everywhere You only have to look at charities like the NSPCC, yes a children’s charity, and ask, why do the chairman Sir Christopher Kelly and vice chairman Anita Green need to pay them self’s each a wage of over £120,000 plus pension, shares, flash cars, trips abroad, and all the expenses they can get? Go to the NSPCC website and check out their annual accounts, page 44 makes good reading.
Posted by: Andy | May 11, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I left UKIP years ago after realizing the leadership do not WANT to succeed in anything other than deflecting the heat from the Tories and feed a few fat boy faces. UKIP leadership has exploited and betrayed all of its sincere members and is past its sell by date. Did you notice what UKIP did to fight the Libon Treaty / EU Constitution? No - nor did I. THESE creeps are worse than the pro EU people because they pretend to be different.
Posted by: Peter Watson | May 11, 2008 at 02:43 PM
It's no surprise, their all corrupt, but as usual nothing will be done!
Posted by: Alexander | May 11, 2008 at 02:10 PM
What aflaming nerve and cheek they moan about people being un employed and the econcomy why should every single person work and be forced to work or get there benefits stopped just so these greedy fatcats can pocket more of our money they moan about the unemployed being on benefits but what do they think they are technically on thereselves when scamming peoples taxes on there selves when doing no work which this money suposdely pays for talk about robbing the poor to give to the rich
Posted by: steve | May 11, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Well thats Rich.Get Elected please when can I stand .Turn up when you like, get a free flight,office for nowt and staff chucked in.Only joking I couldnt do that Id give the expenses to charity why not.Youre elected to serve the public not fleece it.
Posted by: paul raybould | May 11, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I have read about this years ago, What! the ordinary Man/Woman ripped off, I don't believe it, Does anyone actually believe that those honest upright, ethical people (MEPs/MPs) etc. would actually lie to us, Good God!
No one will do anything so just sit there and take it, that is all the ordinary guy can do.
You vote for this party or that party, nothing will change, the little guy always gets scammed.
Posted by: Michael | May 11, 2008 at 12:54 PM
If you can't beat them - join'em - you may have all wondered why Brinley Williams - he who stood up to fuel charges going up a few years ago - well he is now an MEP - very wellheeled thankyou....
Posted by: Pammy | May 11, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Why is it the backbone of Britain are working our ar**s off in order to live while these fatcats who are supposed to be delivering a better system for us are in fact cheating us of our hard earned cash?? Why is the government so two-faced? We follow their rules and regulations in paying taxes and not committing benefit fraud so why is it ultimately us who suffer? Why does the government let so many people scrounge off the system and not do anything about it but if I dont pay my taxes I would end up in prison? Something has got to be done. I dont want to bring my children up in a country that freely promotes sitting on your backside doing nothing while receiving benefits and milking the system.
Another thing, I cant believe that no one checks the MEPs expenses as all companies have to provide receipts for expense claims. Its common sense. Who isnt doing their job right here?
Posted by: Shannon | May 11, 2008 at 12:17 PM
This scam has been known for years and others have been exposed. You do not make such mention of at least one Labour Lord and the well known wife of another Labour Lord
Since you think the EU is so corrupt why do you not promote how better the UK would be free from the EU e.g. cheaper food and why do you not support the cross party Campaign for an Independent Britain petition "I want the UK to leave the EU" which receives ready support on the streets?
Posted by: George West | May 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM
What a joke ,the govenment need to rid us of these fraudsters for good, it just makes everyday law abiding people feel sick that this goes on. The only reason i do not vote at local and national elections is because they are all running for positions where they can just steal from the tax payers and laugh in our faces Gordon Brown get rid of these parisites NOW.
Posted by: chris ellis | May 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
let them all answer to BRUSSELS AND CLOCK INN AND OUT,but then who looks after the clock.
Posted by: ken hill | May 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
The goverment are spending a fortune on advertising 'shop a benefit cheat' perhaps it is time they put their own house in order and if the Labour goverment have signed over so much power and decision making to the EU, why do we still need the same amount of MPs and staff in Whitehall, isn't it time a few redundancys where dished out, like manufacturing industries (that this goverment have destroyed) have had to do. Sadly though, there isn't a viable alternative party that can be trusted, as the silly comments of Boris the new mayor have proved.
Posted by: david smith | May 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
You are not telling the voters of britain anything new its time for britain to remove itself from europe and the EU with its self indulgent rules that are meant to destroy the british and our way of life ..remove ourselves from europe before its to late and then maybe we could become self surficiant once more and feed ourselves rather than rely on europe for everything.
Posted by: Ace Riley | May 11, 2008 at 10:30 AM
The entire philosophy of the the European Union, with its power-lusting policies and its parasitical bureaucrats mirrors the statist government featured in Ayn Rand's famous political novel, "Atlas Shrugged". Why on earth have the British signed themselves up to this?? Where's Brittania when you need her?
Posted by: D S A Murray | May 11, 2008 at 10:23 AM
i always knew we shouldn`t have joined the eu but we are stuck with it. the fat cat eu mp`s or whatever they call thenselves should be made to pay back all the money they have milked from the system. i am proud to be British but not ptoud to be classed as European
Posted by: sue harris | May 11, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Why are we surprised. Westminster is rife with expense fiddles so why not MEP's. Public service my a**e!! Noses in the public trough again!!
Posted by: sleaze buster | May 11, 2008 at 09:31 AM
As they are all at it who is going to rock the boat? I hope the News of The World manages to do something about this corrupt system but i have my doubts.Politicians, as we all know get far too much money for doing naff all. No wonder they are all so out of touch with reality.
Posted by: Lesley baker | May 11, 2008 at 09:10 AM
politicans have no idea how people struggle to make ends meet because they earn too much money and they live in their own little bubble so how can they possibly respresent or understand what we go through
Posted by: g-lo | May 11, 2008 at 09:02 AM
These fat idiots do nothing for us and get well paid for it,We all need to stand together and start making ourselves heard that we wont allow these thieves to steal our money which we work hard for
Posted by: db | May 11, 2008 at 09:00 AM
You get what you vote for. The misguided and naive fools that voted these Tory and UKIP idiots in (despite their vocal objection to all things European in the first place although they are quite happy to take the money from it) deserve the greedy selfish stuck up arrogant pigs they've got.
Yes of course the European Parliament needs to tighten it's procedures up, but ultimately it is these individuals that are exploiting the system with no morality at all.
Being part of the European Union gives us more benefits than I can possibly begin to type here; go and google for goodness sake and look at the facts instead of giving us your xenophobic and ignorant rants.
I hope these individual MEPs who give all of them a bad name are fully investigated. Many MEPs work damn hard for their constituents and their countries and do some great work to make Europe a better, safer and more prosperous place.
I hope in future the British public are less stupid about who they vote for. But I doubt very much, having read regularly the dumb comments of the right wing who spread their vitriol on the tabloids websites, that they ever will be.
Posted by: Patsy Kenway | May 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Now would be a good time for the british voting public to say an enough is enough the time is right to get out of this club that cost us more than we can afford and sped the money on are own needs like NHS, ARMED FORCES,
ROADS & HIGHWAYS, PENSIONERS, AND ANY OTHER WORTH WHILE PRODJECTS,WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY.
I thank you for your article it highlights are short comings as a nation
Robert Brunton
Posted by: Robert Brunton | May 11, 2008 at 07:41 AM
What is the point! The whole setup is corrupt as hell. Look closer to home. There is nothing Joe Mug can do to stop these thieves. Councillors MPs EU MPS the GRAVY TRAIN IS ROLLING.
Posted by: Alan | May 11, 2008 at 07:31 AM
What is the point of bothering about Scamming MEPs.They will all cover each others activities and by the time they are exposed (if ever) they have made a fortune from the tax paying suckers. The only way this will ever be controlled is via some sort of violent insurrection by the people supported by the military.
It is our fault allowing MEPs such freedom or even being a part of the whole corrupt organisation. IF you want to find organised crime look to Brussels and strasbourg
Posted by: Tony Wood | May 11, 2008 at 03:57 AM
pull out of europe there is no benifit to be gained for the person in the street.
MEP's are a disgrace bring them home.LEAVE EUROPE GIVE US BACK OUR FREEDOM. lets have the british leading the british shed the EU shackles.
Posted by: albert drinkwater | May 11, 2008 at 03:11 AM
I have worked in Brussels myself and seen it only too openly, these people actually believe the are making a contribution to the EU and blighty...! Get over yourselves.. Brussels and Strasbourg are all about keeping the greedy in a job..
Its fraud plain and simple, hand the evidence to the tax man, it is also unearned income !
To be so open about this abuse... this oaf needs outing.
Posted by: Area 51 | May 11, 2008 at 01:36 AM