Thought I'd start a new thread as this is going to be a major talking point this year...have not made up my mind yet...(unlike bucksfizz)....but thinking of voting for an exit as Europe is not doing Britain any good at all it seems....

I think he's out of a job....hence mentioning a second referendum ???....well that's not going to happen.....the leaving process has started.....this cannot now be halted...

Come off it Hils we know you love him :-)

And if Farage lied I don't know wtf to call what Cammy and Ozzie have been doing for years.

Nigel Farage hit with £35,000 fine for 'misspending EU funds'

The former Ukip leader will have his MEP's pay docked by half to recoup what he allegedly spent in breach of Brussels regulations
Mirror
ByAndrew Gregory
Political Editor
18:18, 12 JAN 2018

Nigel Farage has been fined £35,000 after allegedly misspending EU funds.

The ex-UKIP leader was probed by Brussels chiefs over claims his office assistant had not been working on EU matters.

Half of his salary will be docked from this month onwards to recoup the taxpayers' cash the European Parliament is owed.

Mr Farage recently moaned about being “53, separated and skint”.

This is despite being entitled to the £90,000-a-year MEPs’ salary and living in a £4million townhouse.

He is also entitled to claim thousands more in expenses for staff and travel costs, and will also be entitled to claim an EU pension, worth £73,000 a year.

The revelation emerged just 24 hours after he appeared to suggest he was in favour of a second referendum over Brexit.

Nigel Farage calls for second Brexit referendum 'to kill the issue for a generation'
Last night (FRI) a spokesman for the European Freedom and Direct Democracy group, the European Parliament group which Mr Farage leads, slammed the move.

Speaking to the Mirror from Brussels, the spokesman said: "There is a vindictive campaign by the European Parliament of selective persecution of Eurosceptic MEPs, parties and groups.

"This allegation is all part of their politically motivated assault."

European Parliament investigators suspended the contract of Christopher Adams last year. He was Mr Farage's assistant in Brussels.

It is understood they acted after becoming convinced that he was not working for Mr Farage on European parliamentary matters.

Mr Adams, a former UKIP Parliamentary candidate, was also the national nominating officer for UKIP.

Under EU rules, full-time assistants to MEPs are not allowed to do paid work for national parties, while part-time assistants must have their second jobs vetted by the European Parliament watchdog to prevent conflicts of interest.

Second EU referendum would reverse the Brexit vote reveals shock poll for the Mirror
Following the revelation, Mr Farage claimed that Brussels chiefs were “just being vindictive” to him because of his role in the Brexit vote.

He confirmed that his pay was being withheld but "absolutely rejected" any suggestion of wrongdoing.

He added: "It is guilty until proven innocent. They can do whatever they like. Since Brexit they are just being vindictive."

Mr Farage described the situation as "very difficult" and said the punishment was "arbitrary".

He added: "I have been (in the European parliament) 20 years. I absolutely reject what they say.

"But it is difficult to know what I can do about it."

A European Parliament spokeswoman declined to comment on the case

But she said that in cases where an MEP “cannot provide any justification or proof” that their funded assistants are doing work directly related to the European mandate of the MEP, “then the administration may recover the money by withholding part of the MEP’s salary”.

However, a European Parliament source confirmed: “Since 1 January [2018] the European parliament has withheld 50% in order to recoup the €40,000 due in salary that was paid to Christopher Adams and which cannot be proved by Farage."

Docking Farage’s pre-tax MEP salary of €8,484 a month would mean he would have repaid what the cash by October 2018.

Mr Farage has been an MEP for South East England since 1999.

Nigel Farage 'has £35k pay docked by EU over misspending claim'

BBC News
3 hours ago

Nigel Farage has had his MEP's salary docked by £35,500 after claims he misspent EU funds, the BBC understands.

The ex-UKIP leader was investigated by the European Parliament over claims his office assistant had not been working on EU matters.

Half of his salary has been withheld to recoup the money the Parliament says it is owed.

The move was condemned by a spokesman for the European Parliament group which Mr Farage heads.

UKIP faces UK probe into EU funding

"There is a vindictive campaign by the European Parliament of selective persecution of Eurosceptic MEPs, parties and groups," said the spokesman for the European Freedom and Direct Democracy group.

"This allegation is all part of their politically motivated assault."

European Parliament auditors last year suspended the contract of Christopher Adams, who was hired to be Mr Farage's assistant in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Mr Adams, a former UKIP Parliamentary candidate, was also the national nominating officer for UKIP, the Guardian, which first reported the story says.

The European Parliament has declined to comment.

The monthly pre-tax salary for an MEP is 8,484 euros (£7,530), which is the equivalent of an annual gross salary, before tax, of 101,808 euros (£90,235). They also receive thousands more in expenses for staff and travel costs.

Mr Farage, who will lose his job as an MEP in 2019 after 20 years in the European Parliament, recently described himself as "skint" in an interview with Mail on Sunday.

The 53-year-old will be entitled to annual EU pension of £73,000 when he reaches the age of 63.

He denied claims of hypocrisy - after campaigning for Brexit - saying: "Why should my family suffer?"

"I have just voted to get rid of my job. I was the turkey that voted for Christmas. How is that hypocrisy?," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

He added that he doubted the money, which would be partly funded by money from the so-called EU divorce bill, would ever be paid, saying: "Given the arbitrary way the European Union behaves in terms of money, I would be very surprised if I get any of it. I don't think it will even occur."

A 2016 investigation by the European Parliament alleged funds for the EFDD group - which includes UKIP and other Eurosceptic parties - had been wrongly spent "for the benefit of UKIP".

It said the group should repay £146,696 of the funds intended for European Parliament business.

An Electoral Commission investigation into whether the party broke UK electoral law is ongoing.

I tend to agree with Hilary regarding Farage

You would!

Politicians of all persuasions lie, Dilbert. MPs are paid peanuts, and that's why you've ended up with the current bunch of monkeys.

To Cameron's (and Blair beforehand) credit, they knew that political battles were fought and won on the centre ground, and not by extremists from either the right or left. Sure, the centre ground sometimes shifts a little to one side or the other (as has happened with Brexit), but the Great British public always ensure that politics are pulled back to the centre ground in the longer term. That's why Farage will go back to selling dodgy used cars or foam back carpets once this mess is all over, and Theresa May will deliver a watered down Brexit which looks remarkably like you'd never left the EU in the first place.

Farage would make a good leader for the remnants of the tory party.

As far as MPs being paid peanuts, god help us if they were paid more.

Think of the villains that politics would attract.

MPs are paid a salary of £74,962 plus expenses, Fred.

That's less than an advisory manager's salary at one of the Big Four in London, which graduates get promoted to after 4 years good service in their mid- to late-twenties. An MP's salary isn't even worth getting out of bed for in the mornings (that's probably why most of them don't turn up to the Commons), and it's a no-brainer that the brightest bulbs in the box are going to want to stay in the private sector where they can earn far more money.

Halve the number of MPs, pay them twice as much, and, hopefully, you might just attract a bit of interest in the job and get a better calibre of liar. :o)

I was referring to the crap they were spouting during the Brexit campaign. They even had the cheek to put some of it in writing and send it to every household in the country at tax payers expense.

Mine went straight in the bin but I believe they said out meant out and we would have to leave the single market / customs union.

Well bring it on , that's what we voted for.

Hilary,

"(that's probably why most of them don't turn up to the Commons)",

I "think" the hours of HP were arranged at one time so Members could pursue their other "occupations". Being an MP was treated as an advertisement in expectations of selling their "services".

(I think for many their salaries as MPs are considered to be tips for belonging to the old boys club.)

A bit like Cameron, Blair, Osborne and some others are doing subsequent to ministerial office.

Reducing, the number of MPs might be sensible, but when Dismay can't find reasonable candidates for her cabinet, perhaps now is not the time.

A reduction in the numbers in the House of Lords should be one of the first changes, but a second revisory body of some form is probably necessary. How such a body would be efficient and functional and "elected" or "conscripted" and represent "society" as a whole is difficult to conceive.

the solution would be to be governed by the plutocracy as in days of yore
they wouldn't need to be paid and would always have the interests of the country at heart ......... with the obvious proviso that those interests coincided with their own

Rubbish.

Try representative meritocracy.

Farages's little england.

now THAT really is rubbish!
who defines the representative bit and who decides the rules on merit?

you'll have us running an athenian democracy if we don't watch out

From the Telegraph:

Jacob Rees-Mogg to lead Eurosceptic Tory MPs and 'hold Government to account' over Brexit

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, is expected to lead the European Reform Group

Steven Swinford, deputy political editor
16 JANUARY 2018 • 6:23PM

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been elected as leader of an influential Eurosceptic group of Tory MPs and vowed to hold the Government to account over Brexit.

Eurosceptics said that Mr Rees-Mogg, who is stood unopposed to become head the European Research Group, is the ideal candidate for the role because he is a "true believer" in Brexit and the benefits it can bring for Britain.

It comes amid concerns that the group, which has more than 60 Eurosceptic Tory MPs, has recently been too weak and failed to do enough to challenge the Government.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: “I am delighted to have been elected in succession to Suella Fernandes and Steve Baker who were both superb Chairmen. In this role I am keen to help the Government implement the principles laid down by the Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, in her Lancaster House speech.

"It is especially important to achieve control of our laws, control immigration and achieve new trade agreements with other countries. The ERG speaks individually, not with the collective view, but has considerable support across the Parliamentary Party. As Chairman I intend to be helpful, vigorous and supportive towards Government policy of making a success of Brexit.”

His appointment comes at a critical time in negotiations, as Theresa May seeks to reach an agreement with her divided Cabinet over Britain's future relationship with the European Union.

He told The Telegraph: "The ERG has an important role to play in representing back-bench Eurosceptic views both to the Government and the wider public.

"There is a strong desire to ensure that the positive emphasis of Brexit is maintained and we focus on the ambition of Brexit to create a more prosperous Britain rather than being bogged down in the minutiae of negotiations.”

The European Reform Group played a key role in the EU referendum as it mobilised Eurosceptic Tory MPs against David Cameron and his pro-Remain Cabinet ministers including George Osborne, the Chancellor.

However senior Eurosceptics said that the group has been far less effective under the leadership of Suella Fernandes, who chaired it while also serving as an aide to Philip Hammond, the Chancellor.

One senior Eurosceptic and supporter of Mr Rees-Mogg told The Telegraph: "We are going to look at Cabinet members and make them stand up for Britain.

"There are a lot of things that need to be argued for as we enter the next phase of negotiations. We must be at the forefront of the debate."

The appointment is a significant move for Mr Rees-Mogg, who has been hailed as a potential future leader of the Conservative Party for his traditional Tory values and uncompromising views on Brexit.

Tusk said yesterday he would be happy for the UK to change its mind and remain in the EU and was backed up later by Junker.

Well there's a surprise , suddenly realising we are really leaving their Mickey Mouse club and there's no one to step up and fill the financial gap it will leave in their finances.

Unless we get a cracking deal I'm still in favour of walking away with nothing and not paying them a penny.

And the remoaners have had it too easy so far , getting all the air time to spout their rubbish so anything that Rees Mogg and even Farage can do to put this right gets my blessing.

Day after day we get bleating remoaners complaining about this and moaning about that and blaming Brexit for everything under the sun while the silent majority just want to get on with leaving.

The last time the UK retreated from Europe it was led back by the "Allies".

At least at that time, it had the USA to borrow off.

Have a look to see how long the payoff took.

This time it seems there are fewer allies who wish to help out and the costs are higher.

Mind, if the UK fragments there will be 40 million little englanders and Dil to shout "help", if or when they escape from the EU.

What a victory!