News | Sunday, 14 June 2009

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MEPs evasive on campaign expenses

David Darmanin
Phone calls, emails and SMSes remained unanswered by both Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa as well as Labour MEP John Attard-Montalto after they were asked on their declaration of campaign expenses.
All six elected MEPs were asked whether they will be taking an oath on their campaign expenses, which must not exceed €18,365 as required by law.
Their campaign expenditures were the subject of much speculation during the campaign. Candidates spent money on full-page newspaper ads, offices and campaign vans, and poured thousands of euros into freebies for voters.
While Labour MEPs Edward Scicluna and Joseph Cuschieri said they will take the oath to declare their campaign spending was within legal limits, Labour MEP Louis Grech said he is still calculating his expenses. “I will be able to answer your question after I myself calculate how much I spent,” he said.
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil could not be reached, and messages left with his aides were not returned. Yesterday morning, the MEP said he would not manage to post in his reply on time. A reminder from this newspaper for a simple yes or no as to whether he would take the oath on campaign spending, remained unanswered.
Nationalist MEP David Casa did not answer his mobile phone or reply to SMSes, and hung up when this newspaper called him for the last time yesterday.
Labour MEP John Attard-Montalto also proved to be unreachable, and an email was left unanswered by the time of going to print. A message left at his residence in Qormi was never followed up.

ddarmanin@mediatoday.com.mt

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