The so-called Eurostat affair, 10 years on

29.1.2014

Question for written answer E-000898-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Robert Goebbels (S&D)

In 2003, the British press and a German magazine stirred up a so-called scandal within Eurostat. At the time, the Commission under Mr Prodi immediately took every possible step to deflect the blame and, in particular, dismissed the Director-General of Eurostat and two of his deputies from their positions. The Commission also terminated the activities of a private company which had been carrying out work for Eurostat with the full knowledge of all the European statistical institutions, thereby putting several dozen people out of work. Complaints were filed by OLAF in the Paris and Luxembourg courts.

Now, over 10 years later, there is not the tiniest suggestion that the sacked officials will be brought to trial.

It is my understanding that one of the officials was cleared of wrongdoing in disciplinary proceedings. The two others, including the Director-General, were awarded damages in the Court of First Instance, which ruled in 2008 that OLAF had breached the principle of the presumption of innocence and the duty of confidentiality to which its inquiry was subject.

Since then, nothing has happened, even though it has been proved in the meantime that no illicit personal gain was made by the officials in question.

Where do we stand at the beginning of 2014?

Will the Commission not finally put an end to this sorry affair and rehabilitate the deposed Director-General and his deputy?

OJ C 300, 05/09/2014