Amy Diamond poses outside the Houses of Parliament painted in the colours of the European Union flag, to demand that MEP's reveal all their expenses claims, as part of the Libertas party's latest drive to reform the EU.

All Northern Ireland's European Election candidates have made a transparency pledge on expenses in response to a Belfast Telegraph survey.

The hopefuls were also unanimous in agreeing that Freedom of Information legislation should apply to MEPs in the same way as MPs and MLAs.

The questionnaire covered all seven candidates — Steven Agnew (Greens), Jim Allister (TUV), Bairbre de Brun (Sinn Fein), Diane Dodds (DUP), Alban Maginness (SDLP), Jim Nicholson (UUP) and Ian Parsley (Alliance).

There were pledges that they would publish receipt-level details of their own MEP expenses, if elected.

Mr Parsley also said he would have his accounts independently audited “to clarify all points of expenditure/income”.

He further stated that MEPs should at least have to meet the FoI standards that apply to UK politicians.

“As a member of the Liberal/Reform grouping, I would be well-placed to push for this,” he said.

Mr Nicholson said: “As a member of the group of Conservative MEPs, I have already signed a ‘transparency and ethics' pledge for the next Parliament.”

Mr Maginness stated: “MEP expenses should be covered by Freedom of Information not only in the future but now as well. However, it should not need to come to that and MEPs should fully disclose their expenses as a matter of routine.”

Mrs Dodds said: “MEPs need to be subject to the same accountability mechanisms as other public representatives. It is wrong that MEPs have enjoyed immunity from domestic FoI legislation.”

Ms De Brun stated: “I have voted in favour of measures to ensure greater accountability and will support further measures. I voluntarily published my expenses for the past term and will continue to do so. I would encourage all other MEPs to do the same.”

Mr Allister said he had “obviously” no difficulty with transparency, as he had published his expenses on his website.

Mr Agnew stated: “If I’m elected I will ensure that details of all my expenses are published on my website.”

European Elections: The candidates

Belfast Telegraph