A beleaguered Euro MP who admitted he was "milking the system" refused to answer the phone this week – because it was a Belgian Bank Holiday.

The Times & Citizen tried to speak to East of England MEP Tom Wise on Monday after it was reported in a national Sunday newspaper that he had told an undercover journalist: "I don't know what an MEP's job is" but "it's the opportunity to make shedloads of money".

When asked if we could speak to Mr Wise, a spokesman from his office said: "No you can't.

"It's a bank holiday in Belgium so Tom is not at work."

He was also unavailable for comment on Tuesday when we called.

The European Parliament and the MEPs are based predominantly in Brussels where its specialist committees meet to scrutinise proposals for new EU laws.

However, despite it being a bank holiday in the home of European politics, when we contacted the other six MEPs for the East of England – a constituency which includes Bedfordshire – they all said they were busy dealing with issues facing the people they represent, except one who was attending a family funeral.

Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for East of England, said: "It's just pathetic.

"I got home at 11pm on Friday night, worked for a lot of Saturday and Sunday, left the house today at 9.15 this morning (Monday) for meetings with the Home Secretary regarding immigration issues, and I'll be travelling to Brussels tonight for meetings tomorrow.

"I took on this knowing the personal cost to my family. When I see news of Tom Wise not even knowing what his job description is it makes me very upset."

He added: "I'm constantly at meetings wherever I am, regarding important issues that face our constituents, and I never see Tom Wise at them."

However, according to the UK Office of the European Parliament, Mr Wise is within his rights to take the day off.

Simon Duffin, head of press relations, said: "There are no set rules for when MEPs are meant to be at work – they are not being paid by the day, like a builder, but they are paid a monthly salary.

He also added: "There are no meetings in Brussels today (Monday) so MEPS can't claim expenses."

Constituents wishing to contact Tom Wise should be aware that Belgium has four more bank holidays remaining this year. But if that is not enough for Mr Wise, across all the 27 member states of the EU there are a further 47 Bank Holidays between now and Christmas.

The following is a full list EU bank holidays, should Tom Wise consider taking them:

Austria
May 22 Corpus Christi
August 15 Assumption of Mary
October 26 National day
November 1 All Saints
December 8 Immaculate Conception

Belgium
July 21 Belgian National Day
August 15 Assumption
November 1 All Saints Day
November 11 Armistice Day

Bulgaria
May 26 Spring Bank Holiday
May 27 Privilege Day for Queen's Birthday
September 22 Independence Day

Cyprus
June 15 Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
August 15 Assumption Day
October 1 Cyprus Independence Day
October 28 Greek National Day (Ochi Day)

Czech Republic
July 5 Saints Cyril and Methodius
July 6 Jan Hus Day
September 28 St. Wenceslas Day
October 28 Independent Czechoslovak State Day
November 17 Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day

Denmark
June 5 Constitution Day

Estonia
June 23 Victory Day
August 20 Restoration of Independence

Finland
June 21 Midsummer
November 1 All Saints
December 6 Independence Day

France
July 14 Bastille Day
August 15 Assumption
November 1 All Saints Day
November 11 Armistice Day

Germany
October 3 Day of German Unity

Greece
August 15 Assumption Day
October 28 Ohi Day

Holland
Nothing until Christmas

Hungary
August 20 National Day
October 23 National Day
November 1 All Saints Day

Ireland
June 2 June Bank Holiday
August 4 August Bank Holiday
October 27 October Bank Holiday

Italy
June 2 Founding of the Republic
August 15 Assumption Day
November 1 All Saints Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception day

Latvia
June 23 Ligo (Summer Solstice Eve)
June 24 Jani (Summer Solstice Day)
November 17 Day in lieu of May Bank Holiday
November 18 Proclaimation of Independence

Lithuania
Jul 7
August 15 Assumption Day
November 1 All Saints' Day

Luxembourg
June 23 Grand Duke's Birthday
August 15 Assumption Day
November 1 All Saints' Day

Malta
June 3 Saint George Preca
June 7 Commemoration of 1919 Uprising
June 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day
August 15 Assumption Day
September 8 Our Ladies and the Victories' Day
September 21 Independence day
November 1 All Saints' Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception Day
December 13 Republic Day

Poland
May 22 Corpus Christi
August 15 Assumption Day
November 1 All Saints' Day
November 11 Independence Day

Portugal
June 10 Portugal Day
August 15 Assumption Day
October 5 Republic Implantation
November 1 All Saints' Day
December 1 Restoration of Independence
December 8 Immaculate Conception Day

Romania
December 1 Ziua nationala

Slovakia
July 5 St Cyril and St Methodius Day
August 29 National Uprising Day
September 1 Constitution Day
September 15 The Day of the Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows
November 1 All Saints Day
November 17 Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy

Slovenia
May 23 Queen's Birthday Privilege Day
June 25 National Day
August 15 Assumption Day
October 31 Reformation Day
November 1 All Saints' Day

Spain
October 12/13 National Day
December 6 Constitution Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception

Sweden
June 6 National day
June 21 Midsummer Day
November 1 Day after Halloween