MEPs have voted not to release the details of an audit report which exposes end-of-year bonuses paid to their staff, allowances paid to those who did not employ anyone and allowances paid to companies or individuals linked to an MEP.

Voting in Strasbourg yesterday, MEPs not only refused to release of the report but also rebuffed calls from the Ombudsman to publicise the names of the 407 MEPs who are enrolled in a voluntary pension fund, subsidised by the taxpayer, The Independent reports.

The European Parliament pays more than €25,000 (£20,000) a year into the pension funds of the subscribing MEPs, who are required to contribute another €13,860 (£11,100).

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies said the lack of transparency made it impossible to check whether some members were using other parliamentary allowances to cover their contribution, which he said amounted to ‘embezzlement’.

Further reading:

Report uncovers MEP expenses abuse

Read story in The Independent