LLANIDLOES-born MEP John Bufton has been filmed signing in for work on a Friday to claim money for the day – despite Brussels Parliament not operating.
Channel 4 programme ‘Dispatches: Riding Europe’s Gravy Train’ secretly filmed the Welsh MEP, who was once a member of Powys County Council and Rhayader Town Council, arriving at the attendance office to sign in at about 8am.
But the UKIP politician denies swindling the expenses scheme, saying he had “meetings to attend”.
MEPs are paid a subsistence allowance of 298 Euros a day (approximately £260) to cover their additional costs while working in Europe.
But Brussels Parliament does not run on a Friday and the undercover team secretly filmed 30 MEPs signing in at dawn on Friday, November 12, to claim the money for the day and then disappear for the weekend.
Those taking advantage of the generous expenses scheme were also shown grumbling that the office was late opening: one said he’d miss his plane, another said his car was waiting in the garage.
They then stopped MEP John Bufton – who appeared to be doing the same thing – and openly asked him about his behaviour.
He denied signing in and going home in order to collect the £260 subsistence allowance, saying: “I’ve got some work to do and have some meetings to attend.”
But when asked what time he would be going home, he replied: “Later on this afternoon.”
Leaving the reporter to ask if he thought he had justified his 298 Euros daily allowance considering the majority of it is for an overnight stay.
John Bufton answered: “Yes, with the current system we have. Yes indeed.”
Speaking about the undercover probe, John Bufton, who attended Elan Village Primary School and Llandrindod Wells High School, told the County Times: “I am disgusted in the way the programme was put together as they sandwiched me between MEPs who appeared to be on the take and then tarred me with the same brush.
“In the whole time I have been an MEP I have only been in Brussels for a Friday on two occasions and last Friday was one of them.
“Normally I come home to Wales on a Thursday night for meetings on the Friday, but on this occasion I’d arranged meetings in Brussels on the Friday.
“It is just wicked the way they put the package together to put a slur on me. If other members are signing in and going home it is disgusting and they shouldn’t be doing that, but to tar me with the same brush as them puts a slur on my reputation.
“I am proud of my Mid Wales links and as a result of this programme I have to put up with people questioning my integrity.”
When asked if he thought the subsistence allowance of 298 Euros a day was morally acceptable regardless of the day of the week, he replied: “I think there are lots of things that are wrong regarding European parliament, but we don’t make the rules regarding our salaries and what we can claim.
“My belief is the sooner we are out of the European Union the better, so we can bring all 72 MEPs home.”
John Bufton is currently seeking legal advice concerning the allegations.