Tobacco, Bové against Olaf in Dalli-gate

According to 2 Green MEPs, the anti-fraud agency had used irregular methods, from illegal wiretapping to navigating testimonies, in the inquiry that led to the Commissioner’s resignation

The Swedish tobacco scandal seems to have no end; last October it ended with the forced resignation of the Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner, John Dalli and now makes those who investigated Dalli shudder: OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Agency), directed by the Italian Giovanni Kessler.

According to 2 MP’s from the Green Group, the French José Bové and the Belgian Bart Staes, to conduct the investigation, the agency had used some irregular methods, from illegal wiretapping to navigating testimonies.

After the Green group’s accusations, the Ppe (European People’s Party) ensued by Inge Graessler asking for a resignation from Kessler himself. “It was demonstrated, the spokesperson declared – referring to the previous accusations made by the ecologist MEPs – that Swedish Match (the Swedish tobacco company implicated in the scandal) was pushed by OLAF to make false affidavits before Parliament.”

The anti-fraud agency quickly denied the accusations, all the more, based on a report in which the contents is covered by client privilege and reminded of the danger risked when “political interference can influence the independence of judges and investigative authorities.”

The Anti-Fraud Agency, as an independent authority, is subject only to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and it is only up to them to decide if violations occurred while conducting the investigation.

In the meantime Parliament will do its part and the Greens have already asked that a special committee be established to investigate the lobby actions of European Union organizations, in particular, exactly the tobacco one.

Camilla Tagino

Related articles:
– Dalli insists: there is a plot against me