Groep Europarlementariërs weigert openbaarmaking uitgaven (en)
MEPs have refused to list receipts for staff salaries and expenses, despite a request from the EU ombudsman that they do so, according to the Financial Times.
Nikiforos Diamandouros made the demand last September, but senior MEPs have sent a letter, which was leaked to the UK business daily, rejecting the move, claiming it would breach individuals' right to privacy.
The group of senior MEPS, who co-ordinate the running of the parliament, have however for the first time conceded that they should publish figures showing how much each MEP is entitled to.
In 2006, MEPs were entitled to €135 million in staff costs and €70 million for travel and subsistence, according to the FT.
Mr Diamandouros says he has yet to receive the note, but does have the power to take legal action if he believes the MEPs are not as forthcoming as he would like.
The leak comes about a fortnight after it was discovered that a committee of MEPs was refusing to publish a report highlighting extensive abuses of staff allowances.
Meanwhile, Pat Cox, a former president of the European Parliament, has called for a "full and thorough" investigation into the scandal in the wake of the revelations.