Tom Wise, who was elected as a UKIP MEP for the East of England, and whose constituency office is based in South West Bedfordshire, is currently under investigation both by OLAF (the EU anti-fraud watchdog) and by police on suspicion of fraud. In particular, it has been alleged that he claimed £3,000 per month from the European Parliament assistance allowance to pay an assistant but channelled a large amount of the money to himself. Indeed, on June 21st this year, Mr Wise was arrested by Bedfordshire police and later released on police bail.
Gary Titley MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe, commented: "Given these ongoing investigations, it is surely both astonishing and highly improper that Mr Wise is able to hold such a position relating to the finances of his local UKIP branch, especially as UKIP have claimed that he is no longer a member of their party."
Notes to the editor:
1. Political parties need to register with the Electoral Commission in order to ensure clear financial accountability. As part of this process, all parties must nominate a treasurer as well as officers with responsibility for any "accounting units" - for example constituency associations or party-affiliated organisations.
2. Letter from Gary Titley MEP to Electoral Commission
Mr Sam Younger
The Electoral Commission
Trevelyan House
Great Peter Street
London SW1P 2HW
Dear Mr Younger,
Re Tom Wise
I am writing in relation to a matter that has been brought to my attention regarding the accounting units for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). According to the list of accounting units for UKIP on the Electoral Commission website, it appears that the Treasurer of the Accounting Unit for the South West Bedfordshire constituency is a Mrs Janet Wise, while the Second Officer is a Mr Tom Wise.
Tom Wise, who is UKIP MEP for the East of England, and whose constituency office is based in South West Bedfordshire, is currently under investigation both by OLAF (the EU anti-fraud watchdog) and by police on suspicion of fraud. In particular, it has been alleged that he claimed £3,000 per month from the European Parliament assistance allowance to pay an assistant but channelled a large amount of the money to himself. Indeed, on June 21st, Mr Wise was arrested by Bedfordshire police and later released on police bail. Given these ongoing investigations, it is surely both astonishing and highly improper that Mr Wise is able to hold such a position relating to the finances of his local UKIP branch, especially as UKIP have claimed that he is no longer a member of their party.
I would be interested in your response and clarification on this matter, which I believe that the Electoral Commission should urgently investigate, and which could, potentially, adversely affect public confidence in politicians.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Titley MEP
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party
For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.
European Parliamentary Labour Party, European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, 1047 BRUSSELS, Belgium
