EP requests additional information on Dalli's resignation, adopts arrangements for Borg's hearing

The president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, together with the leaders of the political groups, today formally asked European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to provide the Parliament with additional and comprehensive information on all the circumstances of John Dalli's resignation from his post as member of the European Commission.

The EP chiefs also requested "adequate access to the OLAF final report made after a complaint by Swedish tobacco producer Swedish Match".

Meanwhile, the grilling of Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg - who has been nominated as the commissioner-designate - will take place on 13 November between 3pm and 6pm.

The Conference of Presidents has now approved the practical arrangements for the hearing, including a provisional timetable. It is proposed that the hearing takes place.

The full house is set to vote on the nomination of Dalli's successor during the November session in Strasbourg.

John Dalli resigned on 16 October after the presentation of a report by the EU anti-fraud office OLAF, that claimed "unambiguous" circumstantial evidence that he was aware of requests by Maltese entrepreneur Silvio Zammit to solicit a bribe from Swedish Match to influence tobacco legislation.