EU Admits Running Offshore Bank Accounts

Bluemerle · 24-01-2005, 12:37 AM

EU Admits Running Offshore Bank Accounts
How many of the European Union's 662 directly held accounts, held in 45 banks around the world, are offshore?

And how many of the 214,000 accounts with which the EU has 'regular dealings' are held offshore?

These questions have been put to the president of the European Commission, Jose- Manuel Barroso, by Ashley Mote, independent MEP for south-east England, after the Court of Auditors admitted the existence of such accounts during a hearing in the budget control committee in Brussels last week.

Mr Mote has invited the president to indicate where these offshore accounts are held, and why they are necessary. Mr Barroso has also been asked to confirm that all monies received by commissioners and senior officials of the commission are made directly and exclusively to onshore accounts.

Finally, Mr Mote's letter invites the president to comment on reports suggesting links between the acquisition of slush money by law enforcement and other government agencies, and the existence of offshore bank accounts under the control of the European Union or its agents, both currently and in the past.

The letter concludes "Your comments would also be appreciated on the alleged involvement of the EU's own intelligence resources in these activities."

(ends)

Notes to Editors

Ashley Mote has been questioning the probity, accuracy and accountability of EU accounts since he was elected to the European Parliament last June. He has also raised these issues with the Serious Fraud Office and the National Audit Office in London.

Details of Mr Mote's activities in the European Parliament are reported on his website : www.ashleymote.co.uk

doc_cruel · 24-01-2005, 01:25 AM

Off shore banks held by governments isn't that unique..... the BoE's national reserves are held in Euros and we have plenty of cash offshore.

Makes sense not to put all eggs in 1 basket!

mkpdavies · 24-01-2005, 02:44 AM

I agree with teh eggs in basket thing. That doesn't mean we shouldn't know exactly where those baskets are! With 10 years of un-audited accounts, we have to keep a very close eye on what is being done with OUR cash.

On the Euros thing, now that the Euro is at record highs, I do hope we are selling a load for cheap dollars now! I wouldn't like to think we were holding onto them just to keep the Euro floating, when there is a real opportunity for Britain PLC to make a killing.

chikrodah · 25-01-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Details of Mr Mote's activities in the European Parliament are reported on his website : www.ashleymote.co.uk

Interesting. I checked his contact details so I could email him a 'well done' for the work he's doing.

He only has a eu.int email address, and his phone number redirects you to a number which just seems to ring endlessly.

What's going on? 7 out of the 10 UKIP MEPs have full addresses listed on their contact details, some even have their assistant's details as well. Has Ashley moved to Brussels?

mkpdavies · 25-01-2005, 02:57 PM

Don't forget Mr Mote is currently under suspension from UKIP. I really wish we had a result on hi scase by now!

chikrodah · 26-01-2005, 08:09 AM

Granted. But why would the man be completely uncontactable except by email and fax to Brussels?

I didn't try to phone him on my behalf (I'd already sent the email by then), but on behalf of one of his constituents, who hasn't got email or fax, and wanted to know if his staff had received a letter.

Are there any friends of Mr Mote out there who can get in touch with him and ask him to put some UK contact details (that work) on his website, as well as give us an update on his case?

24-01-2005, 12:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bluemerle Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dorset. Posts: 3,252	EU Admits Running Offshore Bank Accounts EU Admits Running Offshore Bank Accounts How many of the European Union's 662 directly held accounts, held in 45 banks around the world, are offshore? And how many of the 214,000 accounts with which the EU has 'regular dealings' are held offshore? These questions have been put to the president of the European Commission, Jose- Manuel Barroso, by Ashley Mote, independent MEP for south-east England, after the Court of Auditors admitted the existence of such accounts during a hearing in the budget control committee in Brussels last week. Mr Mote has invited the president to indicate where these offshore accounts are held, and why they are necessary. Mr Barroso has also been asked to confirm that all monies received by commissioners and senior officials of the commission are made directly and exclusively to onshore accounts. Finally, Mr Mote's letter invites the president to comment on reports suggesting links between the acquisition of slush money by law enforcement and other government agencies, and the existence of offshore bank accounts under the control of the European Union or its agents, both currently and in the past. The letter concludes "Your comments would also be appreciated on the alleged involvement of the EU's own intelligence resources in these activities." (ends) Notes to Editors Ashley Mote has been questioning the probity, accuracy and accountability of EU accounts since he was elected to the European Parliament last June. He has also raised these issues with the Serious Fraud Office and the National Audit Office in London. Details of Mr Mote's activities in the European Parliament are reported on his website : www.ashleymote.co.uk

24-01-2005, 02:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,194 Party: Libertarian Party	I agree with teh eggs in basket thing. That doesn't mean we shouldn't know exactly where those baskets are! With 10 years of un-audited accounts, we have to keep a very close eye on what is being done with OUR cash. On the Euros thing, now that the Euro is at record highs, I do hope we are selling a load for cheap dollars now! I wouldn't like to think we were holding onto them just to keep the Euro floating, when there is a real opportunity for Britain PLC to make a killing. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

25-01-2005, 02:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,194 Party: Libertarian Party	Don't forget Mr Mote is currently under suspension from UKIP. I really wish we had a result on hi scase by now! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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24-01-2005, 01:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
doc_cruel Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 213	Off shore banks held by governments isn't that unique..... the BoE's national reserves are held in Euros and we have plenty of cash offshore. Makes sense not to put all eggs in 1 basket!

26-01-2005, 08:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
chikrodah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,751	Granted. But why would the man be completely uncontactable except by email and fax to Brussels? I didn't try to phone him on my behalf (I'd already sent the email by then), but on behalf of one of his constituents, who hasn't got email or fax, and wanted to know if his staff had received a letter. Are there any friends of Mr Mote out there who can get in touch with him and ask him to put some UK contact details (that work) on his website, as well as give us an update on his case?