Inquiry into former ambassador continues

Date: 11/04/1996

By Rory Watson

THE European Commission is continuing its investigation into the activities of its former Moscow ambassador Michael Emerson, six weeks after it accepted his request for early retirement.

The internal inquiry by the Commission's anti-fraud unit UCLAF into allegations that Emerson used his position to prepare outside business activities in the former Soviet Union is unlikely to come to an early conclusion.

One senior Commission source confirmed this week: “This type of complex inquiry requires a lot of time.”

On 28 February, the Commission approved Emerson's application to retire early from

the institution which he had served for almost 23 years.

At the time, Commission officials specifically explained that approval had been given since an examination of the former senior official's file had not revealed “really serious reasons which would serve as grounds for disciplinary proceedings”.

But it left the door open for disciplinary proceedings if the inquiry uncovered any further relevant facts.

It also sternly rebuked the distinguished British economist and reprimanded him for failing to live up to the Commission's strict professional code, which includes a ban on outside business dealings.

The Commission has still to appoint a successor to Emerson after a former front runner, Jim Currie, accepted the job of director-general for customs and indirect taxation instead.