Commission’s alleged secret contacts with the tobacco industry under EU investigation

According to EurActiv, the European Ombudsman launched an investigation in June 2014 after complaints from Corporate Europe Observatory into allegations that the European Commission had held undisclosed meetings with the tobacco industry, almost two years after the former health commissioner John Dalli was forced to resign over the same issue.

Separately, but linked, EUObserver reported that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso appeared before judges at the European Court of Justice on the 7 July 2014 to answer questions relating to the enforced resignation of John Dalli. This was the first time ever that a European Commission President had answered to questions from judges at the ECJ.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU graft inquiry shifts to ex-health chief's overseas activity http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-graft-inquiry-shifts-to-ex-health-chiefs-overseas-activity/

EUObserver, 03.07.14: Judges to cross-examine Barroso in tobacco lobby case http://euobserver.com/institutional/124864

Corporate Europe Observatory: Dalligate http://corporateeurope.org/tags/dalligate

ALTER-EU: Lessons from Dalligate http://www.alter-eu.org/sites/default/files/ALTER-EU%20Lessons%20from%20Dalligate.pdf

The Malta Independent, 03.07.14: Dalligate: EU Ombudsman to investigate 'undisclosed' meetings http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-07-03/news/dalligate-eu-ombudsman-to-investigate-undisclosed-meetings-5703729152/

ECJ: Information concerning Case T-562/12 http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=en&td=ALL&num=T-562/12

EurActiv, 07.07.14: EU Commission back under the spotlight over tobacco lobbying http://www.euractiv.com/sections/health-consumers/eu-commission-back-under-spotlight-over-tobacco-lobbying-303319

EUObserver, 08.07.14: Barroso faces Dalli at EU court in tobacco lobby case http://euobserver.com/institutional/124890

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/220: Statement by President Barroso as a witness in the case brought to the General Court by Mr John Dalli http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-220_en.pdf

EurActiv, 08.07.14: Barroso testifies in tobacco graft scandal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/public-affairs/barroso-testifies-tobacco-graft-scandal-303342

Euronews, 07.07.14: Barroso takes the witness stand in Dalli bribery case http://www.euronews.com/2014/07/07/barroso-takes-the-witness-stand-in-dalli-bribery-case/

BBC News, 08.07.14: EU's top court hears dispute over EU Commissioner Dalli http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28209161

EUObserver, 08.07.14: Dalli lawyers say Barroso trampled his rights http://euobserver.com/institutional/124903

EurActiv [Opinion], 10.10.14: Dalligate: Exit Barroso, with a toxic legacy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/health-consumers/dalligate-exit-barroso-toxic-legacy-309102

EUObserver, 03.11.14: [Investigation]: From Peppi’s to Barroso’s http://euobserver.com/smoke-and-mirrors/126121

EUObserver, 04.11.14: [Investigation]: Malta's 'Mr Teflon' http://euobserver.com/smoke-and-mirrors/126122

EUObserver, 05.11.14: [Investigation]: Actors assemble for EU melodrama http://euobserver.com/smoke-and-mirrors/126123

EUObserver, 06.11.14: [Investigation]: EU judges, Maltese mysteries, and Christians in the Caribbean http://euobserver.com/smoke-and-mirrors/126124

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