Dave must be seen to act swiftly and decisively on this expenses racket - and the same goes for Gordon. The UK electors are heartily sick of the troughing that goes on, both in Westminster and Brussels. Tony Blair has been out of office a year and is now a multi-millionaire. Why are they so greedy?

protogodzilla, London, England

In all the years I have known Giles Chichester he has performed ethically. Whilst himself taking fully the blame currently, it is obvious that his tax and legal advise let him down. If thrown aside because of this minor hiccup, if will be the waste of a great man that has done much for this country

Steve Browning, Exeter, UK

Forget the rules. Whether politicians are breaking them or not (and usually not) isn't the real question about whether they should be offered such generous expenses anyway?

B Redfern, Krsko, Slovenia

Is that the sword he was holding just before he fell on it/

david devonport, Great Yarmouth, UK

He's admitted his mistake and resigned.

Just remind me when was the last time someone in New labour did that?

ian, Bolton,

If there's any suggestion of fraud, he should (like anyone else) be investigated by the police.

Clive, Surrey,

Not as big a story as the papers would have us believe. MEP's are actively encouraged to pay staff through seperate companies, the actual offence is not the amount of payments, or the fact that family members benefit, but that Mr Chichester himself remains a director of the same company.

Paul, Ilfracombe, UK

Last night in Harlow, David Cameron is reported as saying that if elected in 2010 it will be too late to hold a referendum. he promised to leave the pro EU group of paries in the EU when seeking the leadership, he has not done so. he has failed to sack this man.
Vote UKIP or BNP! Leave the EU.

John , Wolverhampton,

This story is saddening. I cannot help but think of all the poor people struggling to live on state benefits. Many of these poor people will not have the money to keep the 3 bars of their electric heaters on over winter - I'm sure Mr Chichester will be fine though.

Des, Edinburgh,

The Conservatives have not even got into power yet, and they're up to their old tricks, obviously these people do not give a damn. They look and smile at you, whilst they are offering their rhetorical sorries and excuses. I can see ominous writings on our future political walls.

Mark, Yorkshire,

When your receive what is left of your salary, when you fill up your car or buy goods, remember that the taxes you pay are being channelled into Europe to pay for corruption like this on a massive scale. When are the British public going to wake up and say no more to Europe?.

Robert, Bracknell,

The real "core values of todays MEPs & MPs is not to view the role of a British politician as an honour and a way to serve the British public but instead they see it as a way to obtain, privillages and ride the "Gravy train". I think lack of principles and sleaze runs deep in todays politicians.

Chris_Hickman, Chester, UK

Just another pig at the trough. Still the same sleazy Tory party! It's a shame that New Labour has become just as bad.
Never was the adage "Power corrupts......etc, etc" more pertinent.

Norman, Udine , Italy

Leadership from Cameron? Mr Chichester is still an MEP, all he has done is shed some onerous duties. This is just thge kind of hype that trivialises principled politics. Cameron has done nothing of note, the snout remains firmly in the trough.

Carl, London,

All these people bravely resign, but to no purpose. They still keep their jobs and go on claiming expenses as before.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

When you are a member of a party that promotes self-promotion and greed at the expense of others, you can't really be surprised at the outcome, can you?

Rose Tinted, Bath, UK

dear Giles Chichester; leave him alone, he is such a treasure.

john eadie macgregor, Doncaster, South yorks

But you people just don't seem to understand how the system works.

Elected Representatives 101:

1.Promise the earth, get elected
2.Once in forget promises
3.Make laws for others
4.Ignore laws
5.Look after No 1 and family
6.Use influence to ensure a good job on leaving
7.Line own pockets

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

To all those calling for the repayment of this money, the amount he has taken is not in question, merely the mechanism by which he received it.
MP's and MEP's allowances & benefits are provided as incentives (we all know this) so why the shock every time these figures are reported. Simple envy?

James, Leeds,

It is beyond belief. A man walks off with half a million pounds, of taxpayers money, gained through dubious methods and not one person bats an eyelid. Is this man going to be charged for this? My family are struggling financially and when I saw the two shameless reprobates on the news, I felt sick.

Mark, Yorkshire,

MPs, EU MPs - parasites feathering their nests at the expense of the tax payer.

Kate, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England

I'm sick of bent politicians. It should be incumbent upon them to acknowledge that integrity is the basis for representing their constituencies and their country.

They should be imprisoned for profiteering at the expense of the nation.

leila , manchester, uk

People are foolish and naive if they think corruption amongst our MPs are the exception - they are the rile.

No accounts signed off for over a decade; Kinnock family pays no taxes and enjoys decade of sinceures; secret paper in the EP. What next - flying pigs with the EU logo around their necks?

Edwin, Bucharest,

The tories have been unelectable for 12 years, because of sleaze.?
They are not even back in power yet, but don't seem to have got the message,even after 12 years.
Charge this thief with theft,and jail him.
That would "send a message" but no one will, because MP's still get away with murder.

Geordie, Perth., Australia.

Why is it those who hold positions of responsibility are never subject to due process of law when it is evident fraud is alleged?
One law for them and another for the rest of us maybe?

Mike O' Connor, Plymouth, uk

This man and his wife should be taken to court and ordered to repay the money will never rid the Tories of sleaze it is there middle name.

wills, scunthorpe, uk

The BBC's website says £758,00 over 9 years paid by Den Dover to his wife and daughter. Even my dodgy maths makes that an average of over £84, 000 p.a. How on EARTH can that be? Wherever do one full-time and one part-time secretary/PA/whatever earn salaries like that. Unbelievable.

Jane , Bath,

All should be well for wasn't Neil Kinnock asked a long time ago to look into abuses in the European Parliament?
Wasn't he helped by a lady whistleblower, Marteas Andreasen?
What became of her?
What came of the investigations?

C. U. JAMES, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Why is it that most MP's are have no interest in helping the public, simply helping themselves to taxpayers money ?. What was it Chichester said, oh yes "whoops a daisy" when exposed today !!.
This person should be ashamed on showing himself and family up as simple scroungers !

John, Woking, Surrey

Cameron should insist he resigns as a MEP otherwise Cameron loses his creditability on sleaze.
Cameron has in the past made sleaze a big issue when attacking the Labour and Liberal Democrats.
So lets see how he stands up on this one.

Bill Rees, Truro, Cornwall

The only mistake was getting caught - MPs and expenses, so many of them "at it " - proccedures should be put in place to ensure that all such "mistakes"? are actionable in a court of law - but can the law courts be trusted - these days I doubt it.

Marty, London,

At least he's done the decent thing and resigned as leader of Tory MEPs. But it is time to change the 'rules' in Westminster and Brussels. It is the MP/MEP's responsibility to ensure they are complying with the Rules, just as it is for everyone else. If they break the rules they should be sacked.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

If I spent £50 of my company's money on my wife's business, then could not explain why. I would be arrested and charged?
If Half a million pounds were to go unexplained, I would expect a lengthy prison sentence.

It's not what you know.............

Davey, birmingham, uk

No MEP from any party or country should be able to carry on drawing salary after it is known s/he has broken the rules. Chichester refuses to resign, so he should work for free to pay off the £445,000 of other people's money.

diana, derby, uk

Disgusting. What a hypocrite.

Then these conservatives tell us the EU is corrupt.

Bob, London,

A touch of leadership - well done DC.

David, Oxford,

I live in the south west of England and I'll definitely vote in the Euro elections next year. This man will definitely not get my vote. He should be expelled from the Conservative Party.

Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,