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| Nigel Farage defends EU expenses | Nigel Farage defends EU expenses |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nigel Farage defended himself on Tuesday against claims that he misused allowances from the European Parliament. | Nigel Farage defended himself on Tuesday against claims that he misused allowances from the European Parliament. |
| The MEP and Ukip leader could face an investigation into the use of £60,000 of European Union funds he has received since he was elected in 2009, The Times reported. | The MEP and Ukip leader could face an investigation into the use of £60,000 of European Union funds he has received since he was elected in 2009, The Times reported. |
| However, during an interview on Sky News, Mr Farage said the allegations made by the newspaper were “erroneous”. | However, during an interview on Sky News, Mr Farage said the allegations made by the newspaper were “erroneous”. |
| He told Dermot Murnaghan that according to EU regulations, he was not obliged to account for how he used the £3,580 a month MEP allowance he is given and can spend the money “as I see fit”. | He told Dermot Murnaghan that according to EU regulations, he was not obliged to account for how he used the £3,580 a month MEP allowance he is given and can spend the money “as I see fit”. |
| He added that The Times was “conflating” the allowance given to all MEP with the Westminster expenses scandal. | He added that The Times was “conflating” the allowance given to all MEP with the Westminster expenses scandal. |
| “They are not expenses. We don't actually claim for anything. I have not claimed for an office. I have not claimed this figure of £15,000. | “They are not expenses. We don't actually claim for anything. I have not claimed for an office. I have not claimed this figure of £15,000. |
| " The Times, who are the pro-establishment newspaper, have deliberately tried to conflate the expenses row at Westminster, where people have been using taxpayers' money to buy houses and make large capital gains with the way the system works in the EU. | |
| “I'm not defending the system, I want it to end but I get given, as does every other British MEP, £3,850, every month to spend in the UK and in my constituency as I see fit.” | “I'm not defending the system, I want it to end but I get given, as does every other British MEP, £3,850, every month to spend in the UK and in my constituency as I see fit.” |
| He added: “We do not have to provide any receipts; any explanation for how that money is spent so what The Times has written is wholly erroneous.” | He added: “We do not have to provide any receipts; any explanation for how that money is spent so what The Times has written is wholly erroneous.” |
| Meanwhile, Ukip have issued a length response defending Mr Farage, and claim the story is an attempt at a “smear”. | Meanwhile, Ukip have issued a length response defending Mr Farage, and claim the story is an attempt at a “smear”. |