Duff uses Maiden speech to warn Commission on need for reform

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jul 1999

Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for Eastern England has been the first of the new Liberal Democrat MEP's to make his maiden speech in the European Parliament. Speaking only 24 hours after taking his seat at Strasbourg Mr Duff used his Maiden speech to send a clear message from the Liberal Group to the Commission that it has to clean up its act.

In his speech, which came in the debate on the widely criticised decision of Commissioner Martin Bangermann to accept a job with Telefonica. Mr Duff said;

"The worst aspect of this sorry tale was that it had further damaged the image of the Commission."

Mr Duff then when on to warn the Parliament that;

"Romano Prodi and his new colleagues have one final chance to prove that the Commission can become the clean, effective and efficient executive that the European Union needs and its citizens deserve.

"Otherwise the European Council would undertake a coup d'étât against the Commission and take power itself unless the Commission was radically reformed."

In replying to Mr Duff for the Commission, British Commissioner, Neil Kinnock welcomed Mr Duff "very Interesting" speech and accepted that the Commission had to draw the right conclusions from the Bangermann affair.

Speaking after the debate Mr Duff added;

"We fought the election on being pro-Europe and pro-reform of Europe. So I was very pleased to be able to make this early contribution on behalf of the British Lib Dem MEP's on the need for effective and speedy reform.

"The Bangemann decision shows very clearly what needs to be changed in Europe. By making my Maiden Speech in this debate we have shown early on that we are serious about delivering a stronger, fairer and more honest Europe."