Scandal Tom Wise caught in NOTW Sting

fordtit · 13-05-2008, 09:22 PM

I don't think the chairman of Fenland will be happy when he sees Gulleford's comments about him. Gulleford should have kept his criticism of Len Baynes private. But what does he do? Gets it put in a newspaper sent out to thousands. However, Gulleford has never been known for his PR skills.

Anthony Butcher · 14-05-2008, 01:28 AM

Evening News 24 - Euro MP's cash claims caught on camera

Quote:

A Euro MP who represents Norfolk was filmed claiming he makes thousands of pounds from British taxpayers in allowances and travel claims.

Tom Wise, who is one of seven European Parliament members for the East of England, was filmed during a two month national Sunday newspaper investigation into the goings on in the corridors of power in Brussels and Strasbourg.

In undercover footage, Mr Wise said one of his favourite things about his job was “the opportunity to make shed loads of money”.

The independent MEP, who turns 60 tomorrow, also said: “I don't know what an MEP's job is. No one's ever given me a job description. I've no idea what an MEP should or shouldn't do. So you make it up as you go along.”

Speaking about his salary, Mr Wise, a former policeman, said: “It's cushy - £60,000 a year. Thank you very much indeed. What have we got to do for it? Not a lot!”

The Sunday paper also claimed Mr Wise told how he flies on no-frills airlines but claims the expenses for full-price flights.

He also said: “Yes, I am milking the system, in as much as I'm overpaid for the amount of expenses I've had.”

Mr Wise was last year suspended by the UK Independence Party after being accused of claiming £36,000 for a researcher who he was actually paying just £6,000.

Mr Wise was cleared of any wrongdoing by a European Parliament inquiry, but still awaits the outcome of an investigation by the EU's anti-fraud chiefs OLAF.

Mr Wise's office said they could not get hold of the MEP for comment because it was a public holiday in Belgium.

Anthony Butcher · 20-05-2008, 12:24 PM

Nice work if you can get it... - Bedford Today

Quote:

Euro MP who admits 'milking the system' can't come to the phone - because it's a Belgian bank holiday

A beleaguered Euro MP who admitted he was "milking the system" refused to answer the phone this week – because it was a Belgian Bank Holiday.

The Times & Citizen tried to speak to East of England MEP Tom Wise on Monday after it was reported in a national Sunday newspaper that he had told an undercover journalist: "I don't know what an MEP's job is" but "it's the opportunity to make shedloads of money".

When asked if we could speak to Mr Wise, a spokesman from his office said: "No you can't.

"It's a bank holiday in Belgium so Tom is not at work."

He was also unavailable for comment on Tuesday when we called.

The European Parliament and the MEPs are based predominantly in Brussels where its specialist committees meet to scrutinise proposals for new EU laws.

However, despite it being a bank holiday in the home of European politics, when we contacted the other six MEPs for the East of England – a constituency which includes Bedfordshire – they all said they were busy dealing with issues facing the people they represent, except one who was attending a family funeral.

Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for East of England, said: "It's just pathetic.

"I got home at 11pm on Friday night, worked for a lot of Saturday and Sunday, left the house today at 9.15 this morning (Monday) for meetings with the Home Secretary regarding immigration issues, and I'll be travelling to Brussels tonight for meetings tomorrow.

"I took on this knowing the personal cost to my family. When I see news of Tom Wise not even knowing what his job description is it makes me very upset."

He added: "I'm constantly at meetings wherever I am, regarding important issues that face our constituents, and I never see Tom Wise at them."

However, according to the UK Office of the European Parliament, Mr Wise is within his rights to take the day off.

Simon Duffin, head of press relations, said: "There are no set rules for when MEPs are meant to be at work – they are not being paid by the day, like a builder, but they are paid a monthly salary.

He also added: "There are no meetings in Brussels today (Monday) so MEPS can't claim expenses."

Constituents wishing to contact Tom Wise should be aware that Belgium has four more bank holidays remaining this year. But if that is not enough for Mr Wise, across all the 27 member states of the EU there are a further 47 Bank Holidays between now and Christmas.

The following is a full list EU bank holidays, should Tom Wise consider taking them:
...

Anthony Butcher · 20-05-2008, 12:27 PM

EADT - Scared rabbits in charge of Government

Quote:

WISE `DOES NOT ATTEND UKIP MEETINGS' - FARAGE

NIGEL Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, says that East of England Euro MP Tom Wise has not attended any UKIP meetings in Brussels for the past 12 months due to his suspension from the parliamentary group pending inquiries into allegations against him of fraud.

He did continue to attend meetings of the European Parliament's Independence and Democracy group to which UKIP belongs, but resigned from it at the weekend and now sits as an independent.

Mr Wise, who was elected to the parliament in June 2004 as a UKIP MEP, says he does not intend to seek re-election. “The UKIP group does not have the power to suspend me from the party and I remain a paid up member of UKIP.”

13-05-2008, 09:22 PM	#81 (permalink)
fordtit Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sunny East Posts: 118	I don't think the chairman of Fenland will be happy when he sees Gulleford's comments about him. Gulleford should have kept his criticism of Len Baynes private. But what does he do? Gets it put in a newspaper sent out to thousands. However, Gulleford has never been known for his PR skills. Last edited by fordtit; 13-05-2008 at 09:28 PM.

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