Dalli: I am talking to my lawyers to clear my name
Former European Commissioner John Dalli this evening categorically denied allegations against him made in a report by the EU's fraud office and said he was talking with his lawyers in order to clear his name.
In a press statement following his resignation from the European Commission, Mr Dalli said:
"This afternoon I was informed verbally by the President of the Commission of the conclusion of an OLAF investigation about an alleged attempt to influence my decisions in respect of the ongoing review of the Tobacco Directive.
"Even though the OLAF report states that there is no evidence of my direct participation in these events and that the decision making process of the Commission Services had not been influenced in any way, OLAF concluded that I was aware of these events basing themselves ONLY on circumstantial evidence.
"I deny categorically that I was in any way aware of any of these events.
"I am taking all actions open to me to ensure that these unfounded conclusions will be proved completely false.
"I will continue to work so that all efforts made by myself and my services to revise the Tobacco Directive will proceed as planned"
Speaking on TVM, Mr Dalli said he wanted to strongly deny any knowledge that a person in Malta had told a Swedish company that he had contacts which could influence EU legislation on tobacco.
On the contrary, Mr Dalli said, he would continue to work in order to ensure that his work on a new Tobacco Directive imposing tougher restrictions on smoking would come to fruition.
However he felt he should resign because he took such matters very seriously. He also indicated that he knew who the Maltese person involved in this case was.
He said that this was not the first time that false allegations had been made against him, only to be disproved.
"This is a case of deja' vu for me. I learnt from that experience and I will be tougher this time around," he said, adding that there would be developments next week.
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29 Comments
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m borg
Oct 17th 2012, 14:39
Another Scooby-Doo story when they unmask the culprit . It is so obvious that this might be another typical frame-up. No wonder Franco Debono he insisted that they are evil !
Franco Attard Trevisan
Oct 17th 2012, 08:52
Something is not right here.
A high profile corruption attempt would never be documented on email. Looks more like a scam gone wrong to me.
Anyone can claim to have high profile contacts to try suck money from a big company... From the little we know so far, I don't think it will be hard for Dalli to clear his name.
M Grima
Oct 17th 2012, 08:48
Now that the final OLAF report and its recommendations are being sent by OLAF to the Attorney General of Malta for the Maltese judiciary to decide how to follow up, what is the next step? In a democratic country the Attorney General will ask the police commissioner to initiate and finalise investigations within the shortest possible time (yes, before the elections). Will this happen? I wonder!!
Joseph Apap
Oct 16th 2012, 21:36
Mr Dalli I am sorry for these allegations coming from Sliema Deputy Mayor Silvio Zammit
You have done right to resign and defend yourself
I augur that you will be able to do this in a short time
I am a Maltese first and a party follower second
Noel Abela
Oct 16th 2012, 21:21
Strange, Very strange, I see a hidden hand behind all this, maybe this is the same hidden hand that Franco Debono has been mentioning all this time. We will see................................
Ronnie Callus
Oct 17th 2012, 11:47
Of course Mr.Abela most probably there is a hidden hand. Wait and see.
James Hili
Oct 16th 2012, 20:32
I just heard the most ridiculous question uttered by a so called journalist..whilst interviewing John Dalli he asked hIm why did he resign if he is claiming that he is innocent.!! Dear journalist in civilised EU countries even if there is the faintest hint that one is tainted with something, true or not, one will relinquish his position to be in a position to clear or otherwise his name
B. Farrugia
Oct 16th 2012, 20:24
Hope its not another frame-up to prevent Dalli from sitting for the General Election in Malta.
George Lewis
Oct 17th 2012, 07:17
So according to you Mr.Dalli is guilty,even though he has neither been accused nor has the case been investigated.How insensitive on your behalf or is it a political motivation?
I believe some people do not have a crooked leg but a crooked mind|
An Cachia
Oct 16th 2012, 20:17
This man reminds of the nursery rhyme 'there was a crooked man who walked a crooked mile.....' shame on you. Everything he seems to touch is riddled with allegations. You put Malta to shame Mr. Dalli.
m busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 20:44
shame on you my dear not mr dalli
Frans Aguis
Oct 17th 2012, 00:02
YOU have no shame. Even after is PROVED how he was forced out of the party with false allegations right after he lost the race with Gonzi for leader.
Mr Eric Camilleri
Oct 17th 2012, 00:19
Ms. Cachia,
When Mr.Dalli was accused of allegations before being appointed EU Commisioner where all found to be a lie.
It is very unethical towards a person to accuse him before the case is closed.
Julian Borg
Oct 16th 2012, 19:59
.... been there; done that - too much smoke mate!
Charles Sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 20:47
how true! "smoke without fire".....which is very common on the island in the sun!..chuckle...chuckle...
P. Ciantar
Oct 16th 2012, 19:57
At last Mr Dalli made in the world. He is on BBC Washington Post Reuters CNN Al Jazeera etc.
Malcolm Seychell
Oct 16th 2012, 19:50
Kuragg Sur dalli. Ejja ha narawk kap tal PN u ta Malta...
Ivan Mizzi
Oct 16th 2012, 19:48
This is proof that smoking is harmful.
mark borg
Oct 16th 2012, 19:45
ma tantx hareg snienu sa issa sur dalli il prim ministru dr gonzi,biex jidefendik.......x diferrenza x xabla u tarka hareg ghal RCC jew ghal dak li belghalna il bendy buses.
Carmel Garcia
Oct 17th 2012, 06:54
Well said Mr. Borg.
Ronnie Callus
Oct 17th 2012, 11:45
Very, very well said Mr.Borg. Even for Dr.Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici he didn't give hand. This proof his Onesty.
Mark Busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 19:42
Kuragg Sur Dalli. Il poplu malti warajk.
Brian Bonnici
Oct 16th 2012, 21:19
Lili aqtani barra!
George Joseph Cauchi
Oct 16th 2012, 19:30
If it is not true then somebody somewhere should be dragged to the courts and made to pay handsomely.
Mr Albert Dimech
Oct 16th 2012, 20:16
Well just as what happened in the case of the false allegations in 2004. The person who fabricated the story is in jail now.
Paul Bajada
Oct 16th 2012, 19:25
Kuragg Sur Dalli. Dawk li diga ppruvaw ikissruk ma rnexxielhomx! Dawk li qed jippruvaw issa lanqas mhu se jirnexxielhom! Is sewwa jirbah zgur. Ejja ha narawk kap tal PN bi dritt!
P. Ciantar
Oct 16th 2012, 19:41
in your dreams
R. Balzan
Oct 16th 2012, 19:49
hear hear!
Aaron Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 22:16
Bi dritt? L-ebda bniedem ma jsir Kap tal-PN bi dritt, m'ahniex Cuba...
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