AN Alton-based MEP has hit out at The Times newspaper for using his name to help justify condemnation of the European Parliament as a gravy train.

Ashley Mote, 73, said The Times failed to check the facts in Tuesday's story in which he was named as one of three politicians accused of misusing public money, who look set to receive hundreds of thousands of pounds in pensions and benefits as part of a £20m payoff for British MEPs who retire this week.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.