The UKIP leader was highly critical during Westminster’s expenses scandal, but will have some explaining to do after claims that some of his “general expenditure allowance” has been paid into his personal bank account.
Under fire Nigel Farage yesterday insisted his party could spend taxpayer-funded EU handouts “how we want” after being confronted about his expenses.
The UKIP leader said he was taking legal advice over allegations that £60,000 of “missing” expenses have been paid into his personal bank account since 1999.
Like all MEPs, Mr Farage receives a £3,580 a month “general expenditure allowance” from Brussels. But he rejected claims this was supposed to be used to run his constituency office in Bognor Regis, which he was given rent-free by local UKIP supporters.
Mr Farage said: “We do not claim expenses for running offices or any other activity that takes place within our member state, the United Kingdom. We get a fixed-rate allowance and we can spend it how we want to. We don’t have to provide receipts for it.”
The European Parliament rules state that the cash: “May only be used for activities linked to the exercise of a Member’s mandate. It may not be used to cover personal expenses or to fund political grants or donations.”
Mr Farage, who said he would hand over expenses claims for independent scrutiny, insisted this did not mean he could not spend the cash travelling the country speaking against the EU.
He added: “I could have refused the money but I couldn’t have spoken at public meetings all over the UK because I am not wealthy enough to have funded that myself.”
His defence was in stark contrast to angry outbursts during the Westminster expenses scandal. Last year he said: “The country is disgusted with this expenses scandal. Those Members of Parliament should be prosecuted.”
The Electoral Commission last night confirmed they will write to Mr Farage to find out whether his free office should have been declared as a donation.