Regular readers may recall that the European Parliament voted yes (overwhelmingly, I might add) in support of the proposed EU constitution about a year ago. Regular readers may also recall that some Eurosceptic MEPs - mostly UKIP and some Tories, plus their assistants - tried to kick up a bit of a fuss by accusing Parliament staff of "manhandling" them when they tried to wave "Vote No" banners. (The Telegraph also joined the fun with this report.) At the time, the Parliament authorities took it seriously and appointed Jim Nicholson MEP to investigate. Jim is himself a prominent Eurosceptic and member of the right-wing EPP/ED, the same group as the Tories.

Well, I'm pleased to report once and for all that there wasn't a grain of truth in the Eurosceptic stories. I spoke to Jim Nicholson today and he confirmed that, after a thorough investigation, he had been unable to find any evidence whatsoever to substantiate the allegations of mistreatment. Jim's report was made to the President of Parliament, and since it found nothing amiss I suspect nothing more will come of it, so this is just for the record. Oh, and it goes without saying: don't hold your breath for an apology from those indignant eurosceptics who invented the tales in the first place!

Add to this the disproven invention that Parliament threw a big party after the vote - utterly unfounded - and it's a fairly sorry reflection on the tactics chosen by eurosceptics to complain about Parliament's endorsement of the constitution.