British politicians yesterday attacked the decision to suppress the report of misuse of European Parliament allowances.

Supporters of the European Union and sceptics united in demanding the report’s publication.

Denis MacShane, the Labour MP and former Europe Minister, said: “Any reports on these matters should be in the public domain. End of story. MEPs, like MPs, do themselves no good by not being as transparent as possible as is the case with British MEPs from the mainstream parties.”

Kate Hoey, another Labour MP, who has led calls for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, said: “This is another example of the closed and secretive nature of the EU.”

Philip Davies, the Eurosceptic Tory MP, said: “People have long known it is a bit of a gravy train in the European Parliament and this will probably confirm their worst fears. This will further undermine people’s confidence in European institutions.”

Martin Bell, the former independent MP and antisleaze campaigner, said that the stance taken by the European Parliament was damaging trust in politics further. He said: “It is the same as with MPs’ expenses but at one remove. There is taxpayers’ money being wasted. I stood for the European Parliament last time. Just as with MPs’ allowances, they are not charging for what they spend, they are making charges up to their limit as if it were an entitlement. It is a complete racket.

“There should be absolute transparency. The MEPs should publish all their expenses, with receipts – I am not saying every single euro but 100 or 200 euros. People are getting really upset.”

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