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MEPs face legionella threat in Strasbourg Parliament

Tuesday, 18 June 2002

Local Conservative Euro-MPs, Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton-Harris are supporting calls for this week's meeting of the European Parliament to be suspended following the discovery of a strain of legionella in the European Parliament's building in Strasbourg last week.

East Midlands MEPs Mr Helmer and Mr Heaton-Harris believe there is now a serious threat to MEPs, staff and visitors. They are joining the rest of the Conservative delegation in spearheading an attempt to put a joint motion to Parliament this afternoon urging a suspension of business.

Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, Roger Helmer MEP said:

"In the short term this week's meeting must be moved back to Brussels following the very real threat of contracting illnesses. In the long term we should cancel the Strasbourg Parliament altogether and remain in Brussels given the astronomical cost to the taxpayer of moving staff, translators and MEPs from one building to the other."

Chris Heaton-Harris said:

"In the absence of any assurances regarding the safety of the Parliament, the plenary session in Strasbourg should be suspended. It would be highly irresponsible of the Parliament to meet in Strasbourg. The Parliamentary session could just as easily take place in Brussels without threat to any of its business."