Romanian MEP Adrian Severin on Monday resigned from the Social Democratic Party, amid corruption accusations. Party leader Victor Ponta had said earlier that, if Severin did not resign, he would be expelled from the party.

Three European MPs -Severin, Austria's Ernst Strasser and Zoran Thaler of Slovenia - were allegedly prepared "to sell their services" and support the adoption of several amendments in exchange for EUR 100,000 offered by Britain's Sunday Times journalists, who posed as financial lobbyists, AFP reported last week. The journalists offered money to several European MPs to support the adoption of several amendments. The three MEPs reportedly accepted the deal.   Severin denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign from the European Parliament, although he has been expelled from the S & D group.

Read more about Adrian Severin and the corruption accusations here: Romanian MEP Adrian Severin caught-up in corruption scandal, withdraws from Socialist group

Source: Mediafax