UUP MEP calls for full and open investigation into money made by City of Strasbourg
Speaking after a meeting of the Bureau last night, the Governing body of the European Parliament, Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has called for “a full and open investigation” into the revelations unveiled this week that the Strasbourg Local Authority has been overcharging the European Parliament up to 2.7 million Euros a year in rent for as long as 25 years.
Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,
“I attended a meeting of the Bureau last night to discuss this problem where I demanded a full and open investigation into the matter and insisted that nothing be suppressed. We are all looking for answers. This whole affair has left a very bad taste in the mouth of all MEPs in the Parliament.
“I will be meeting with representatives from the UK Government next week to discuss the matter further.”
Every month for a week the Parliament sits in Strasbourg with all 732 MEPs, their staff and other European officials relocating from Brussels to Strasbourg. Strasbourg’s position as one of the official seats of the European Parliament has been enshrined in the EU Treaty since 1992, with any changes needing the consent of all 25 member states.
Mr Nicholson continued,
“It is bad enough that the Parliament has to pay millions every year to move to Strasbourg once a month but these revelations that the city has been making enormous sums of money at the taxpayers expense by adding top ups to the real rental price of the Strasbourg parliamentary buildings are even worse.”