Scots MEPs praised for fighting EU secrecy

Published on Monday 25 May 2009 22:11

TWO Scottish MEPs were hailed as being among the best advocates for transparency in the European Parliament in a survey published yesterday.

Conservative Struan Stevenson and Nationalist Alyn Smith were praised by the website Open Democracy for being in the top three British MEPs for promoting openness and democracy and fighting waste.

Only nine of the 785 outgoing MEPs scored more highly on their records in 19 crucial votes in the European Parliament's five-year term.

Mr Stevenson has challenged other MEPs to follow his example and publish expenses, although his online register has information taken out.

The survey came out on the day that the SNP launched its European manifesto, which included a watered-down version of its previous calls to pull out of the much criticised Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The new SNP position now calls for Scotland to have a separate voice on CFP ministerial discussions to the rest of the UK.

However, at the manifesto launch, Nicola Sturgeon called on voters to use the election as a call for a general election for Westminster.

"By voting SNP, next week's election is an opportunity for people to give Scotland a strong voice in Europe and demand an early general election," she said.

The Scottish Socialist Party also launched its campaign yesterday with a call for an extra 10 per cent tax across Europe on the rich.