Ombudsman launches investigation into Dalli departure

Probe follows complaint that Commission has been selectively releasing documents relating to the case.

The European Ombudsman today (6 March) launched an investigation into the resignation of John Dalli as European commissioner for health and consumer policy, and asked the European Commission to hand over all files relating to his departure.

The investigation follows a complaint made earlier this year by the transparency campaign group Corporate Europe Observatory, which accused the Commission of selectively releasing documents relating to the case and failing to fulfil its obligations under EU transparency laws.

“The Commission has unduly refused access to documents, failed to provide clarity about which documents falling under the scope of request actually exist, and used delay tactics,” the group said.

The ombudsman has asked José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission, to submit an opinion on the allegations.

The Commission has always said that Dalli’s resignation is a cut-and-dry case of impropriety, but there has been confusion over exactly which rules Dalli violated.

MEPs have complained that their requests for more information about the resignation have either gone unanswered or have not been answered to their satisfaction.

Dalli’s resignation followed an investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud office, OLAF, which found that Dalli was aware that a Maltese businessman had solicited tobacco company Swedish Match for payment in exchange for influencing the tobacco legislation.

Last month the ombudsman launched a separate investigation into so-called ‘revolving door’ lobbying at the Commission. The Commission was asked to provide details of all cases in the last three years in which Commission staff left to take up jobs in the private sector where there may be conflicts of interest.

The Commission has three months to respond to the ombudsman request.