Cox to probe EU expenses allegations

European Parliament President Pat Cox is to investigate allegations that at least 200 EU assembly members fiddle their expenses.

“In the event that there is evidence, then of course we would follow that up,” Cox told parliament at the start of its monthly session in Strasbourg.

The allegation of expense account fiddling was made today by Hans-Peter Martin, an independent MEP.

He said he had found 7,200 instances of fraud through forged everyday claims and attendance records to claim expenses.

“These allegations are causing immense distress to many colleagues,” said Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti.

In January, EU governments rejected as too generous a new pay-and-perks package for the 626 member European Parliament that was meant to rid the assembly of its gravy train image ahead of the mid-June European elections.

The package was to be part of an overhaul at the assembly ahead of the admission of 10 new countries into the EU on May 1.

EU assembly members have faced accusations they pad their wallets at taxpayer expense and don’t do much work.

They are now paid a salary and expenses under a much-criticised system, set up in the 1960s, that lets them, among other things, pocket the difference between full-fare air tickets and discount fares.