UKIP Damaged by Double Expenses Trouble

The United Kingdom Independence Party has had its fair share of trouble with its elected representatives. However, despite this, it likes to pose as an anti-establishment party untainted by the Parliamentary expenses scandal and similar ails that have afflicted Westminster politicians. It is therefore very damaging for them that former UKIP MEP for the East of England, Tom Wise, has admitted fiddling his expenses and swindling the tax-payers out of £36,000. Wise claimed £3,000 per month in secretarial allowances but pocketed £2,500 of that while paying his secretary just £500 per month. He now faces a jail sentence of up to seven years.

Following the revelations about Wise, the Sunday Times has reported that the EU anti-fraud investigator “Olaf” has launched a wider investigation into UKIP’s use of MEP expenses. Internet speculation has suggested that former UKIP leader Nigel Farage is one of five MEPs that are under investigation by “Olaf”. That could terminally damage his attempt to stand against Commons Speaker John Bercow as an “anti-sleaze” candidate.

Both of the above cases come after the Electoral Commission won a case in the Court of Appeal that may lead to near bankruptcy for UKIP if they have to repay £350,000 in illegal donations. It also occurs at a time when the party has no leader and is about to enter a leadership contest. UKIP surprised many people (including me) with its success in the June Euro elections. It now faces a series of much sterner tests and the timing could hardly be worse for the party.