Libertas: Pro-transparency MEP Richard Corbett forgets he voted to keep expenses a se

Politics.be · 31 mei 2009, 16:50

Labour MEP Richard Corbett has made a mockery of his own stated commitments to greater transparency in the European Parliament, by being unable to remember details of when he voted to keep MEP expenses a secret from the public.

Corbett, who is a member of cross party pro-transparency group The Campaign for Parliamentary Reform, responded that "I'm not sure what the vote is that you're referring to" when pushed by Open Europe's Mats Persson about the vote on March 11th during the BBC's "Europe Today" radio show.

He also attempted to justify the so-called "sign in and slope off" daily allowance of €298 available to all MEPs without having to do any work, saying that "at least you have to turn up to claim." Last year a RTL reporter showed MEPs showing up at 7AM on Fridays to claim this allowance before sloping off - despite the Parliament being closed on this day.

Libertas chairman Declan Ganley said: “The facts speak for themselves. In public Richard Corbett and many other MEPs say one thing, while voting for the exact opposite. The lack of transparency in the EU makes it easy for MEPs like Corbett to mislead the public and this has to change.

Libertas is committed to making all MEPs publish their expenses so that the public can decide if they get value for money. Libertas will also save European taxpayers €10 billion, partly by cutting down on the £360,000 in unchecked allowances that MEPs claim each year."

Libertas has circulated a new video showing MEPs dropping into the Parliament on a Friday to collect their taxpayer funded allowance on their way home. See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V04_jepi97Q

Bron: politics.be

31 mei 2009, 16:50	#1
Politics.be Redactie Geregistreerd: 27 november 2004 Berichten: 28.704	Libertas: Pro-transparency MEP Richard Corbett forgets he voted to keep expenses a se Labour MEP Richard Corbett has made a mockery of his own stated commitments to greater transparency in the European Parliament, by being unable to remember details of when he voted to keep MEP expenses a secret from the public. Corbett, who is a member of cross party pro-transparency group The Campaign for Parliamentary Reform, responded that "I'm not sure what the vote is that you're referring to" when pushed by Open Europe's Mats Persson about the vote on March 11th during the BBC's "Europe Today" radio show. He also attempted to justify the so-called "sign in and slope off" daily allowance of €298 available to all MEPs without having to do any work, saying that "at least you have to turn up to claim." Last year a RTL reporter showed MEPs showing up at 7AM on Fridays to claim this allowance before sloping off - despite the Parliament being closed on this day. Libertas chairman Declan Ganley said: “The facts speak for themselves. In public Richard Corbett and many other MEPs say one thing, while voting for the exact opposite. The lack of transparency in the EU makes it easy for MEPs like Corbett to mislead the public and this has to change. Libertas is committed to making all MEPs publish their expenses so that the public can decide if they get value for money. Libertas will also save European taxpayers €10 billion, partly by cutting down on the £360,000 in unchecked allowances that MEPs claim each year." Libertas has circulated a new video showing MEPs dropping into the Parliament on a Friday to collect their taxpayer funded allowance on their way home. See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V04_jepi97Q Bron: politics.be __________________ Politics.be - Jouw politieke portaalsite