05/06/2008
Conservative Leader Steps Down Amid Expenses Scandal
The Conservative leader of the European Parliament Giles Chichester has stepped down following an expenses scandal.
Last night, Mr Chichester admitted that substantial monies had been going into a family company of which he is a paid director.
The former leader defended himself saying he had done nothing wrong and that he had been using the family owned company as a means of supporting his work as an MEP.
An extract of Mr Chichester's statement said: "Following recent press reports regarding the use of my parliamentary allowances, I personally sought a meeting with the European parliamentary services to clarify the situation."
The politician said that upon finding out that there had been a change in rules relating to service providers in 2003, he immediately cancelled the contract with the company.
Mr Chichester said that he believed that the arrangement was "fully compatible" with European Parliament rules and that he had acted "in good faith".
The firm, founded by his father, Sir Francis Chichester KBE, has received £445,000 since 1996 from EU funds.
The company published maps and navigational guides.
Mr Chichester became an MEP for Devon and East Plymouth in 1994, becoming MEP for South West of England in 1999.
In July, 2004, he was elected Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
He was elected Chairman of the Conservatives in the European Parliament in November 2007.
(DS)
Last night, Mr Chichester admitted that substantial monies had been going into a family company of which he is a paid director.
The former leader defended himself saying he had done nothing wrong and that he had been using the family owned company as a means of supporting his work as an MEP.
An extract of Mr Chichester's statement said: "Following recent press reports regarding the use of my parliamentary allowances, I personally sought a meeting with the European parliamentary services to clarify the situation."
The politician said that upon finding out that there had been a change in rules relating to service providers in 2003, he immediately cancelled the contract with the company.
Mr Chichester said that he believed that the arrangement was "fully compatible" with European Parliament rules and that he had acted "in good faith".
The firm, founded by his father, Sir Francis Chichester KBE, has received £445,000 since 1996 from EU funds.
The company published maps and navigational guides.
Mr Chichester became an MEP for Devon and East Plymouth in 1994, becoming MEP for South West of England in 1999.
In July, 2004, he was elected Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
He was elected Chairman of the Conservatives in the European Parliament in November 2007.
(DS)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.