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Nigel Farage rejects EU allowances claims Nigel Farage rejects EU allowances claims
(about 3 hours later)
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has rejected claims he might have abused EU expenses, describing them as a "politically motivated attack".UKIP leader Nigel Farage has rejected claims he might have abused EU expenses, describing them as a "politically motivated attack".
The Times said a former party official had filed a complaint to the EU's anti-fraud body over his use of the "general expenditure allowance".The Times said a former party official had filed a complaint to the EU's anti-fraud body over his use of the "general expenditure allowance".
The UKIP leader rejected suggestions he had broken the rules on MEP allowances.The UKIP leader rejected suggestions he had broken the rules on MEP allowances.
"I am taking legal advice. I think this is completely and utterly outrageous," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."I am taking legal advice. I think this is completely and utterly outrageous," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The Times said Mr Farage received £15,500 a year to run his constituency office in Bognor Regis - but that the office had been provided rent-free by UKIP supporters.The Times said Mr Farage received £15,500 a year to run his constituency office in Bognor Regis - but that the office had been provided rent-free by UKIP supporters.
It says a former office manager claimed that the premises cost only about £3,000 a year to run.It says a former office manager claimed that the premises cost only about £3,000 a year to run.
'Unashamed''Unashamed'
The EU does not demand a detailed breakdown of office expenditure but Mr Farage insisted the running costs were about £1,000 a month.The EU does not demand a detailed breakdown of office expenditure but Mr Farage insisted the running costs were about £1,000 a month.
The Times says a former UKIP official has filed a formal complaint about Mr Farage to the EU anti-fraud office OLAF.
An OLAF spokesman told BBC News it had received a complaint and was considering whether it fell within the organisation's remit and, if so, whether there was sufficient suspicion of fraud or corruption to launch an investigation.
"Please note that the fact that OLAF assesses information does not mean that individuals in question are guilty of any wrongdoing. OLAF fully respects the presumption of innocence," added the spokesman.
The UKIP leader said MEPs were given recommendations about what the allowance can legitimately be spent on, such as the running of an office, mobile phone or hotel bills, but did not have to provide receipts.The UKIP leader said MEPs were given recommendations about what the allowance can legitimately be spent on, such as the running of an office, mobile phone or hotel bills, but did not have to provide receipts.
"We do not claim expenses for running an office or any other activity that takes place within the United Kingdom."We do not claim expenses for running an office or any other activity that takes place within the United Kingdom.
"We get an allowance, a fixed-rate allowance, and we can spend it how we see fit," he told Today."We get an allowance, a fixed-rate allowance, and we can spend it how we see fit," he told Today.
He said he had been always been open and "unashamed" about using the allowances and expenses provided to him as an MEP to campaign for Britain's exit from the European Union but that he would "do so within the rules of the Parliament".He said he had been always been open and "unashamed" about using the allowances and expenses provided to him as an MEP to campaign for Britain's exit from the European Union but that he would "do so within the rules of the Parliament".
He described the Times report as "yet another politically motivated attack from what is the establishment newspaper".He described the Times report as "yet another politically motivated attack from what is the establishment newspaper".
He said he would be happy for his accounts to be audited by an independent accountant "if that would solve the argument", adding: "UKIP don't want any of these allowances. We don't want British MEPs costing the taxpayers all this money."He said he would be happy for his accounts to be audited by an independent accountant "if that would solve the argument", adding: "UKIP don't want any of these allowances. We don't want British MEPs costing the taxpayers all this money."
Earlier UKIP issued a statement saying the allegations "lack substance" and said the office allowance was used in part to pay for additional premises.Earlier UKIP issued a statement saying the allegations "lack substance" and said the office allowance was used in part to pay for additional premises.