The Telegraph published a story earlier in the day claiming that more than one in five MEPs have substantial incomes from the external sources, citing the findings by Transparency International. The newspaper mentioned individually several UK MEPs, who reportedly have high earnings "on the side".
Charles Tannock, MEP from the UK Conservative party, explained to Sputnik that outside earnings cited by the media were his income in the period when he was a doctor, prior to becoming a parliamentarian.
"This figure [between 5,000 and 10,000 Euros per month] represents my UK declared earnings prior to being elected as an MEP in 1999 and was declared in the members interests on the advice of party officials a few years ago. I have been an MEP continuously since 1999," Tannock said.
Tannock clarified that in 1999, when entering the European parliament, he quit employment as a psychiatrist and since then has never received regular income from any jobs outside the parliament.
The findings about Bill Etheridge, another MEP who represents UK Independence Party, are also "completely wrong", the assistant to the parliamentarian told Sputnik.
"We are dealing with it and going forward for compensation for the mistakes in the article," Paul Brothwood, advisor for Bill Etheridge, told Sputnik.
Transparency International's "EU Integrity Watch" quoted in the newspaper is an online database on the activities of members of the European Parliament. It used the information from the declaration of financial interests that deputies are required to make.
The newspaper mentioned Bill Etheridge as a MEP with highest side earnings among other representatives of the United Kingdom. Conservatives Nirj Deva, Tim Kirkhope and Charles Tannock, as well as Labour Richard Howitt were also claimed to have high outside income.
