Following the scandalous revelations about MP's expenses, it now appears that many less-than-honourable members are foresaking the sanitised, transparent walls of the Palace of Westminister for the warmer, and certainly more lucrative, climes of Strasbourg and Brussels.
Attracted by a more laissez-faire attitude to expenses and receipts, British MP's are being drawn in large numbers to the luxurious European Parliament, with it's golden troughs and designer suits with deep lined pockets. Euro MPs' expenses and pensions are so lavish that they can earn as much as £1m on top of their salaries over their five-year term in parliament.
We spoke to one MP who, after asserting that we weren't from the Daily Telegraph, told us,"I can remember when you could travel round the world, furnish a second home, maintain the swimming pool, clean out the moat, and still have change from the Fees Office. Sadly those days are long gone. But, as one Parliamentary door closes … Sorry, you'll have to excuse me. Must dash. Just off to St Pancras to catch the Eurogravystar."
The Speaker of the House of Commons has asked if the last MP would kindly turn the lights out.
