The Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament (Annex 1) detail the transparency requirements for MEPs. They must make a personal, detailed declaration of their professional activities and any other remunerated functions or activities (Declaration of Financial Interests) and place it in a register maintained by the Parliamentary authorities.
The level of 'detail' accepted by the Parliamentary authorities means that the Declaration of Interests fails to do what it is supposed to do. For example, Nigel Farage (UKIP)declares "Commodity Broking" and "Journalism" without further comment. Sharon Bowles (LIB DEM) just says she is a partner in a law firm. On the other hand, Caroline Lucas (GREENS) does declare her additional income. Jeffrey Titford (UKIP) declares three words under 'further information': 'property', 'rent', 'pensions'.
These declarations are made in arrears and they are so badly administered that they contribute almost nothing towards transparency.
Libertas will ensure that transparency systems are properly supervised by the European Parliament authorities.
Go to the EU Parliament web site and see your MEP's declarations for yourself.
Source http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+RULES-EP+20080218+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN
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