Andrew Duff MEP

Andrew Duff's members of staff

Tim Huggan

Constituency Officer

Tim has worked for Andrew since 2002, and is responsible for office management, media, communications and Andrew's constituency diary

Ian Horner

Communications Officer

Ian works part-time for Andrew and deals mainly with regional stakeholders, press and communications

Sietse Wijnsma

Parliamentary Assistant

Sietse joined the team in 2008

Petr Novak

Parliamentary Assistant

Petr joined the team in October 2009

Kilian Bourke

Casework Officer

Kilian joined the team in March 2011

Paying agent

Andrew's paying agent is Hart Chartered Accountants

Andrew's expenses and allowances

Summary of accounts for 2010

Summary of accounts for 2009

Summary of accounts for 2008

Summary of accounts for 2007

Liberal Democrat MEPs' code of conduct

Liberal Democrat MEPs' code of conduct

Andrew Duff's Annual report 2010 is here.

Annual Report

2010 was the year in which it became clear that the financial instability and economic austerity is here to stay for some considerable time. It was also the year of the formation of the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat government in the UK.

In the European Parliament we are not bound by the coalition pact at home, and Tory and Lib Dem MEPs continue both to oppose each other where necessary and to cooperate wherever possible on a case by case basis.

As spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrat for Europe (ALDE), I cover a portfolio where there is no agreement at all between the two parties. Where the Conservatives tolerate a semi-detached relationship with the European Union, I believe that their actions put continued British membership of the EU at great risk. In particular, I have fought against the EU Bill which imposes automatic referenda on most important constitutional decisions of the EU.

Other key questions for me have been the electoral reform of the Parliament (on which I am rapporteur), the establishment of the new External Action Service, improving relations between the European and national parliaments, and the prospect of a reform of the financial system of the Union.

In the field of foreign and security policy, I have been especially active on Turkey and Cyprus, and in deepening the EU's relationship with NATO.

My latest pamphlet Federal Union Now was published by the Federal Trust in September 2011.

I remain President of the Union of European Federalists, campaigning across Europe for a stronger and more democratic EU, and am co-chair of the Spinelli Federalist Intergroup of MEPs.

I am a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

There continues to be a steady rise in the volume of constituency casework, including some complex issues concerning family or commercial law. I have been engaged in helping East of England firms and universities ride out the economic storm and exploit all the opportunities that UK membership of the EU offers. The rise in applications to and receipts from EU science R&D funding is especially encouraging for our region. I will play an active part in the current negotiations on the reform of the financial system of the Union.

Office and staff

During 2010 my staff have been Tim Huggan, Constituency Officer, responsible for office management, media, party communications and the constituency diary. Ian Horner, my Agent, takes on new responsibilities for party liaison. Alex Scott has been succeeded by Kilian Bourke as Casework Officer. Sam Bailey has worked as an intern in the Cambridge office.

In Brussels and Strasbourg my parliamentary assistants have been Petr Novak and Sietse Wijnsma. They are joined by Maxime Calligari as a stagiaire.

My paying agent is Janet Hart of Harts Chartered Accountants, Berkhamsted.

I do not employ or pay as service providers members of my family or comparable partners.

Parliamentary allowances

The European Parliament's system for the reimbursement of travel expenses changed after the election in June 2009. Under the old regime, MEPs had the costs of their travel from home to work reimbursed at a flat rate on the basis of distance and mode of transport. Travel elsewhere (outside the UK) on official Parliamentary business was reimbursed at cost. In all cases, proof of travel was and is required.

Under the new regime, the flat rate distance allowance has been abolished, while some travel and subsistence costs within the UK are now an allowable expense.

In 2010 I received € 40,706 for travel and hotel accommodation (€ 43,600 in 2009).

MEPs receive a daily subsistence allowance for official attendance on Parliamentary duties outside the UK. In 2010 I received €46,488 (€45,370 in 2009).

My attendance record for plenary votes over the entire mandate of the Parliament (2004-09) was 97 per cent - compared with the average for all MEPs of 80 per cent. It continues to be high.

My total wage bill and staff costs for 2010 were €185,948 (€ 185,883 in 2009). (The maximum possible staff allowance per MEP was € 212,288.)

In 2010, all MEPs received £42,144 for office costs and other general expenditure. My total general expenditure was £47,207. Receipts for all items of expenditure in excess of £25 in value will be made available on request.

The summary of the account is verified by an independent professionally qualified accountant as being in compliance with the rules of the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party and with the rules of the European Parliament. The audit statement is filed with the LDEPP Whip.

Declaration of Interest: I was a member of the Parliament's Voluntary Pension Scheme until July 2009. Like other parliamentarians, I receive occasional free parking at London City Airport.