UKIP: Marta Andreasen versus Robin Collet

Here is a very interesting email exchange between Marta Andreasen and Robin Collet

We all know about Marta. See: LINK

But who is Robin Collet?

Robin is a Farage sycophant who was given the job of trying to hoodwink the public into thinking that UKIP’s MEP accounts are open and transparent.

The website can be found here:

http://www.ukipmeps.org/mypage_16_TR.html

A quick look on the website will quickly tell you otherwise. The accounts contain only a minimum of information and are frankly a joke.

For instance:

Farage states that his wife works for him. Her salary is between £25,000 - £30,000 a year. But he fails to state what she does for that large sum.

Derek Clark mentions that he employs several members of staff. So what are their salaries? What do they do? Who are they? You won’t find the answers there. So much for transparency!

The same goes for the odious Paul Nuttall. No details, no real information.

And so on.

It is amusing to note that Marta is rather less than happy with Robin’s handling of the accounts.

Read on……

From: robin.collet@btopenworld.com
To: william dartmouth (william@williamdartmouth.com); dcbdcbuk@yahoo.co.uk; derek clark (mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk); gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; johnbufton@tiscali.co.uk; martaandreasen@hotmail.com; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; k.farage@yahoo.co.uk; paul nuttall (ukipbootle@yahoo.co.uk); Douglas Denny (greg_l-w@btconnect.com); stuart.agnew@btconnect.com; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevorcolman@btconnect.com

Subject: Transparency
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:33:19 +0000

Hello all,

I hope you do not mind, but I have attached transparency drafts for all MEPs to this e-mail – it saves me time to do it that way

The only one you need to look at is your own one.

I would be grateful if you would confirm that you are happy with it (or advise any changes) – ideally asap – and by end of weekend as I hope to send to Kevin Bonici for putting on EFD MEPs website late Monday, before I disappear to Spain for a week, early on Tuesday

One general point –as you know, we have removed all ?? amounts. On the text in first para on Parliamentary Assistance Allowance, I have added an extra sentence at the end – not least at Marta’s request. I hope you will find this acceptable – as ideally you should all have the same text

For individual MEPs

Godfrey’s is blank – and I am talking to him this pm

Marta has to revise her numbers, from these initial estimates

Mike N ‘s expenses are round sum guesses and he will tell me correct figures on Monday (and figures for item 3 & 4)

William D is hopeful of Expense figures later today (and number of days)

Nigel – did you get figures for return trips and number of days

So I hope to hear from each of you soon, please

Thanks

Robin

PS – Just to remind – I will not be at next Strasbourg but to be at next Brussels on 24/25th March

Robin Collet robin.collet@btopenworld.com
Home Office: The School House, Wimble Hill,
Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5HL.
Home Tel : 01252 850824.
Mobile: 07774 107471
Mobile is best for contact

From: Marta Andreasen [mailto:martaandreasen@hotmail.com]
Sent: 27 February 2010 22:29
To: Robin Collet; william@williamdartmouth.com; David C. Bannerman; mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk; gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; john bufton; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; Kirsten Farage; Paul Nuttall; stuart agnew; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevor colman

Subject: RE: Transparency

Dear Robin,

Thank you for sending this.

I can live with the comment that you have added to the secretarial allowance about any amount not claimed going back to the EU budget, even if this is not my preferred option.

In the case of General Expense allowance however I cannot adhere to the text you propose, for the reasons I explained at the meeting last week and which I reiterate below.

Section 3 Article 25 of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament states that " members shall be entitled to a flat-rate general expenditure allowance to cover expenses which arise in the course of their parliamentary activities and which are not covered by other allowances under these implementing measures or other Parliament rules".

There is no mention on where you incurr the expense whereas in the paragraph you propose you limit the "cost of carrying out the duties of the MEP, incurred in the United Kingdom". I do not see the need to add this limitation when the regulation does not require this and moreover you have advised me to use the general allowance to cover costs that I have incurred in Brussels, such the case of the media training by Martin Jay for example.

I therefore propose that the paragraph to be used in reference to General Expenses should be the text of Section 3 Article 25 of the Implementing Measures as quoted above.

I await for your final version to introduce my final numbers.

I take the opportunity to inform all that the travel reimbursement office can issue a summary of amount paid for daily allowance and number of missions.

Best regards
Marta

Marta Andreasen MEP
Rue Wiertz, 60
ASP 4F154
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 22845726
Email: marta.andreasen@europarl.europa.eu
Website: www.martaandreasen.com

From: robin.collet@btopenworld.com
To: martaandreasen@hotmail.com; william dartmouth (william@williamdartmouth.com); dcbdcbuk@yahoo.co.uk; derek clark (mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk); gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; johnbufton@tiscali.co.uk; martaandreasen@hotmail.com; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; k.farage@yahoo.co.uk; paul nuttall (ukipbootle@yahoo.co.uk); Douglas Denny (greg_l-w@btconnect.com); stuart.agnew@btconnect.com; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevorcolman@btconnect.com

Subject: RE: Transparency
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:51:27 +0000

Dear Marta – and for all MEP’s
Thanks indeed to allow this to go forward – I would have preferred this only between Marta and me - but she has sent to all Authorities

For clarification, you quote word for word the basis set out in Article 25 – which is as you say is just these 3 lines and no more

This 42 page document covers lots of other things – Document Reference 2.1.2

Where I have taken authority on is the another 42 page document - known as the PEAM rules – reference number 2.1.1. (Rules governing the payment of expense and allowances to members) My last copy was drawn down on 11th November 2009 – It needs updating on some things – but not yet published (as you will know)

This document at Chapter 4 – article 13 - giving a whole page to it, - not just the 3 line you quote, explains the headings of expenditure, but also says, in the heading “This allowance is intended to cover, inter alia, the following expenses incurred in the member state of election”

Discussion

From the above, I think you have not seen all the rules

We do not have time to discuss this

Action suggested

While I am very unhappy about it, I propose to all MEPs that we remove the words “incurred in the United Kingdom” , but leave all other words as is
You know my view – publish soon the minimum and add extra later if demanded

Marta – please

Would you be happy to publish with those words removed

Please

And Marta

Update on figures please – - I have a very tight timetable to work to

Please provide now

Thank you
Robin

Robin Collet robin.collet@btopenworld.com
Home Office: The School House, Wimble Hill,
Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5HL.
Home Tel : 01252 850824.
Mobile: 07774 107471
Mobile is best for contact

From: Marta Andreasen [mailto:martaandreasen@hotmail.com]
Sent: 28 February 2010 00:33
To: Robin Collet; william@williamdartmouth.com; David C. Bannerman; mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk; gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; john bufton; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; Kirsten Farage; Paul Nuttall; stuart agnew; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevor colman

Subject: RE: Transparency

Dear Robin,

I copied all because we have been having this discussion among all and because I think my observation is valid for all. I did not understand we needed to have separate conversations on different matters and I had already expressed my views during the meeting where you agreed.

I have seen all the rules but the paragraph I refer to is the one in the implementing rules which is the specific application rule. I frankly do not understand why you insist on limiting this to the UK when implementing rule does not but what worries me more is that I have incurred expenditure in Brussels out of this allowance upon your advise and I refer to Martin Jay?s fees for media training.

So I am sorry but in my page I will state the paragraph of the implementing rules.

As regards the final figures I have now obtained the official report for the number of missions and daily allowances and I have 18 return trips and 65 days allowance instead of the numbers I put in my draft. But I still need to confirm certain figures in the general allowance and this may take until next week.

Assuming you have all the accurate info from the rest of the MEPs I have no problem in that their figures are published on Monday and mine are published some days later when I am happy the information is accurate. If you leave for Spain I can ask Kevin Bonici to load mine in your absence.

Best Rgds
Marta
Marta Andreasen MEP
Rue Wiertz, 60
ASP 4F154
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 22845726
Email: marta.andreasen@europarl.europa.eu
Website: www.martaandreasen.com

From: robin.collet@btopenworld.com
To: martaandreasen@hotmail.com; william dartmouth (william@williamdartmouth.com); dcbdcbuk@yahoo.co.uk; derek clark (mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk); gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; johnbufton@tiscali.co.uk; martaandreasen@hotmail.com; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; k.farage@yahoo.co.uk; paul nuttall (ukipbootle@yahoo.co.uk); Douglas Denny (greg_l-w@btconnect.com); stuart.agnew@btconnect.com; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevorcolman@btconnect.com

Subject: RE: Transparency
Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:49:17 +0000

Dear Marta,

Thanks you – you may have missed it? - I had said in my email below to remove the words ”incurred in the United Kingdom”

The wording used had been discussed and agreed at a number of previous meetings with MEPs, but when you were unable to be present

I think it is far better that all MEPs have the same wording – so my new suggestion is not only removing the words “Incurred in the United Kingdom”, but adding instead “not covered by other allowances”, so it reads
“This allowance covers the cost of carrying out the duties of the MEP not covered by other allowances, and includes running an office and associated expenditure.? All costs incurred meet the published Parliamentary rules”

Are you able to accept that please?

(and hopefully others will agree too – I will assume so, unless I hear differently)

Very good wishes
Robin

Robin Collet robin.collet@btopenworld.com
Home Office: The School House, Wimble Hill,
Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5HL.
Home Tel : 01252 850824.
Mobile: 07774 107471
Mobile is best for contact

From: Marta Andreasen [mailto:martaandreasen@hotmail.com]
Sent: 28 February 2010 15:49
To: Robin Collet; william@williamdartmouth.com; David C. Bannerman; mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk; gerard.batten@btinternet.com; gbloom@ukip.org; john bufton; mikenattrass@hotmail.com; Kirsten Farage; Paul Nuttall; stuart agnew; susanpalfrey@btinternet.com; trevor colman

Subject: RE: Transparency

Dear Robin,

I don´t like your way of treating me with contempt. Yes I have read your emails and the rules and I have only been absent from one of these meetings but this did not preclude you from facilitating the info agreed to me on hand or by email. Nor does it preclude me from having a different opinion.

I regret to say I have lost trust in you. You will not assume responsibility for MEPs expenditure but want to dictate your differing interpretation of the rules according to the circumstances.

Others may not have the professional experience to deal with their own expenses but I certainly do and lost a very well paid job for defending transparency and accountability in the EU something that few or no one can boast of.

While I have put effort on reaching a common presentation of expenditure for all of us UKIP Meps I reserve the right to put the comments I wish and will also deal with the publication directly myself.

NOW I ask that in the name of transparency you deliver to me without delay the same type of presentation for UKIP´s portion of group expenditure which we all contribute to finance - this should include the 4000 budget line plus all the group recruits under UKIP´s part of the group´s budget and for which at least I was not consulted upon - and make available to me - I leave to others their choice to request the same-all supporting documents for me to audit this expenditure.

I am aware that you are trying to help without even being paid for your work but this is not an arrangement that I have been given the opportunity to agree to nor does it imply that I grant my authorization to you to decide what should be published and what should not.

Best wishes
Marta

Marta Andreasen MEP
Rue Wiertz, 60
ASP 4F154
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 0032 22845726
Email: marta.andreasen@europarl.europa.eu
Website: http://www.martaandreasen.com/

Also see: LINK