Martin Schulz has two limousines, two chauffeurs and 33 assistants

The head of the EU Parliament was accused by fellow MEPs yesterday of wasting public money.

In a report they revealed Germany’s Martin Schulz has two limousines, two chauffeurs and 33 other assistants.

They said the socialist politician, who has called for higher financial contributions from member states, was setting a bad example.

His bloated team of staff includes a spokesman, five press officers, two diary assistants and a speech writer. He also has two ushers dressed in black tails who greet guests and fulfil other duties.

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In a report they revealed Germany’s Martin Schulz (pictured) has two limousines, two chauffeurs and 33 other assistants.

President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, leaves the Maximos Mansion in his limousine

The annual review of the Parliament’s finances by its budgetary control committee said it ‘notes with concern that the large number of staff based in the office of the president of the European Parliament is highly questionable’.

‘This sets a bad example for cost reduction and fiscal responsibility within Parliament,’ it added.

The MEPs also questioned the need for two cars.

Mr Schulz, who has been an MEP for 21 years, receives up to £227,000 a year in salary and allowances. His large entourage is thought to cost taxpayers more than £1million.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: ‘The Queen of Sheba probably had less staff, certainly less chauffeurs. I can’t decide if Martin Schulz is a Bollinger Bolshevik or a Foie Gras Federalist. What this report shows is that the president of the European Parliament is greedy for EU gravy. He loves the EU because it’s good for him personally.’

One of Mr Schulz’s press officers last night defended the spending while blaming EU driving laws for his need for two chauffeurs.

‘Two drivers are needed to meet the high mobility requirements of the president which would not be possible with one driver while at the same time following legislation on rest time,’ he said.

Mr Schulz also has two ushers dressed in black tails who greet guests and fulfil other duties

Mr Schulz, (right) who has been an MEP for 21 years, receives up to £227,000 a year in salary and allowances. His large entourage is thought to cost taxpayers more than £1million.

Martin Schulz (right) and his wife Inge pictured arriving to cast their ballots for the European Parliament elections in May last year

‘Two cars are needed because there are many times when the president travels one part of a journey by car, then takes a plane or train, and then still needs a car when he arrives at his destination.

‘If we had only one car, then Parliament would need to hire a car for the second part of this mission.

‘Moreover, for security reasons it is better to have him in parliamentary cars as much as possible.

‘This is another reason why having a parliamentary car available for him when arriving at his destination is a better option.’

The press officer said Mr Schulz, 59, employed fewer staff than his two predecessors.

The politician, whose wife is a gardener and landscape architect, became an alcoholic and lost his job as a bookseller after he turned to drinking when a knee injury ended his dream of a sporting career.

A father of two, he lists his hobbies as football, reading and history. He is a fan of the late British Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm.

He was accused of political cronyism after handing out top administrative posts in the Parliament to members of his personal staff.