Conservative MEP returns ‘accidental’ expenses claims

By Martin Banks

Date: 06/05/04

A TORY MEP who claimed too much on expenses to travel to a home which does not exist has handed back the money to the European Parliament, following an investigation by his party.

Bashir Khanbhai claimed travel expenses to get from Heathrow airport to an address in Norfolk. He lives in Sevenoaks, Kent.

The Conservative central office said Khanbhai made an "unintentional mistake" but refused to confirm the amount involved.

MEPs, however, suggested a claim for an extra 320 kilometres round-trip on a weekly basis could run into thousands of euros.

When claiming his expenses, Khanbhai gave his home address as 57 Peninsula Cottage in Wroxham. In fact, there are only 56 cottages in the holiday complex. He says he used to stay in one of the cottages whenever he was in the area. On his website, the MEP writes that his political interests include "cracking down on mismanagement and fraud in EU institutions".

No action has been taken against the MEP, who intends to stand in the June elections. However, Tory insiders said the party leader Michael Howard was furious.

This is likely to further worsen the Parliament's reputation, as MEPs have been accused in numerous press reports of fiddling their expenses. Austrian MEP Hans-Peter Martin, claims to have filmed evidence of MEPs unfairly claiming allowances for meetings they have not attended (see story, page 13).

Voters are expected to punish candidates in the European elections for the assembly's "gravy-train" image by not voting in the 10-13 June poll.

UK Tory Party MEP Bashir Khanbai has repaid the European Parliament for allegedly claiming travel expenses to a home which does not exist.