European Parliament needs external 'referee' to clean up its act - Alfred Sant

The solution to the European Parliament’s problems must come from an external “referee” rather than in-house “cabals”, MEP Alfred Sant has argued, in a veiled criticism of Roberta Metsola’s handling of a corruption scandal.

Sant told the parliament plenary in Strasbourg that, rather than being under “attack” as Metsola has argued, the parliament found itself in crisis because of the way it operated internally.

“Objectively, features in our operations invite such provocation, and find response among some of us,” he told fellow MEPs.

Sant stated that European Parliament decisions, especially on personnel, seem to be taken by cabals. Top spokespersons for the European Parliament enjoy unchecked, outside contracts and consultancies. A huge number of MEPs do not bother to record the contacts and meetings they carry out with lobbyists or entities with an interest in ongoing legislation.

Labour MEP Alfred Sant said he condemned the scandal but was not sold on the solution.

He added that the parliament had also discussed areas outside its competence, delivering judgement on foreign countries “which impact on the public opinion of nations and the rating of credit agencies.”

It was not...