It is physically impossible for oil-for-food revenues (in a UN-controlled account in New York) to be siphoned anywhere.

BBC: Head to Head: Iraq sanctions

However, Mr Clay said in his speech that, as under the Moi regime, much public money continues to be siphoned off through dodgy procurement contracts.

ECONOMIST: Sickening | The

Up-market independents may be siphoned off by Ralph Nader, the consumer advocate and likely Green Party candidate, while down-market ones could drift to Pat Buchanan, the likely Reform Party candidate.

ECONOMIST: The duck-hunting season begins

The Welsh government has always recognised the need for discipline in the overall EU budget but it cannot be right for EU money allocated to the UK to be siphoned away from poorer regions, like west Wales and the Valleys - to richer regions elsewhere.

BBC: MPs find themselves in government - and in opposition

"The Welsh government has always recognised the need for discipline in the overall EU budget but it cannot be right for EU money allocated to the UK to be siphoned away from poorer regions, like west Wales and the Valleys - to richer regions elsewhere, " he said.

BBC: EU deal 'fails Wales' says First Minister Carwyn Jones