Cameron's 'deep clean' of Tory MEP expenses sparks sleaze-busting row

David Cameron was embroiled in a bitter row with Conservative MEPs last night after they branded his cleanup of their expenses as 'half-baked'.

The Tory leader ordered his Euro MPs to publish full details of how they spend their £245,000-plus a year taxpayer-funded allowances.

He demanded they agree to 'deep clean' their perks in a bid to stamp out sleaze, or be sacked for failing to toe the line.

But in a sign of mounting internal turmoil, Mr Cameron's shake-up sparked anger among the ranks.

In a secret memo leaked yesterday, rebels lashed out at the order to open their books.

MEPs who were de-selected for not complying with the new code of conduct could sue the Conservative Party for 'very substantial' damages, they warned.

The memo said: 'The more we publish, the more questions will be asked. Could we have eaten in a cheaper restaurant? Did we need that half-pint of lager? Couldn't we find cheaper paper clips?'

Describing Mr Cameron's move as a 'half-baked attempt to jump the gun', the memo continued:

'The headlines will not read, 'Cameron gets tough with MEPs'.' It added: 'On the contrary, they will read "New Tory rows on EU expenses".'

It warned that the new rules would simply encourage some MEPs to claim the maximum for travel and accommodation.

'Members may well change their behaviour under the new rules,' the memo said. 'They will certainly trade up to business class, obviating any savings.'

The unsigned memo  - prepared for a meeting between MEPs and Mr Cameron's ' sleazebuster' Hugh Thomas yesterday - was found left on a printer in Brussels.

Mr Cameron launched the crackdown to introduce 'more honesty' into Brussels' 'seriously flawed' expenses regime.

Crackdown: Mr Cameron wants to stop excessive spending

He took action after a series of scandals involving claims that Tory Euro MPs misused allowances to line their own pockets.

South West MEP Giles Chichester stood down as Tory leader in Brussels after paying £445,000 of allowances into a mapmaking firm of which he was a paid director.

Den Dover, 70, was replaced as the party's chief whip after paying £750,000 of public money to a company run by his wife and daughter.

Under the new rules, all Tory MEPs will be forced to fill out a 'right to know' form with details of the expenses they have claimed - equivalent to one being introduced for MPs in Westminster.

From September, they must publish the names of employees, whether they are relatives, and their approximate salary.

Twice a year they must release a breakdown of their office, staffing and travel allowances that must also be checked by an independent accountant.

Bonuses paid to MEPs' staff will be limited to 15 per cent of their annual salary and any expenses surplus received upfront each month must be repaid.

Mr Cameron said the current controls on Brussels' expenses were 'inadequate'.

'I think everybody knows it is time for a deep clean,' he added.

Mr Cameron said the 'vast majority' of Tory MEPs would sign up but admitted it may be ignored by those who planned to step down at next June's elections.

Anyone who refused to comply would not be selected as a candidate for next year's European Parliament elections.

A Tory source said Mr Cameron was 'unconcerned' by the leaked memo.

'The new rules will upset some people, but that's tough,' the source said. 'If they don't like it, they can ship out.'