Irish MEP Nessa Childers has voiced "serious concerns" over the resignation of EU commissioner John Dalli, The Parliament.com reported.

The S&D MEP said it appeared the Maltese commissioner had been "forced" to resign after a complaint by a tobacco firm.

She pointed out that Mr Dalli had been a "champion for stronger tobacco control in the commission and was preparing the upcoming directive in this area".

Her comments come as the commission yesterday moved to defend its position in the continuing row over Dalli's resignation. Mr Dalli wrote to MEPs yesterday to explain his case and to urge them to push the Commission to see his Tobacco Directive through.

On Monday, a commission spokesman said it was "politically untenable" for Dalli to remain in his post as health and consumer policy commissioner after the findings of the OLAF anti-fraud office.

Ms Childers said there were three clear priorities now: to find out exactly what happened, to make sure the tobacco directive went ahead without any delay and that  lobbying in Brussels was put under the spotlight and regulated better.

"One thing is sure, that the tobacco industry is the main winner with the fall of Dalli. I hope that this will not lead to precisely what big tobacco wants, the further blocking and delaying of a strong tobacco product directive.

"The commission must not delay the adoption of the directive, which has been delayed for far too long by industry lobbying.

"This directive is a top priority of the Irish presidency and I urge the Irish government to make this clear to (commission president José Manuel) Barroso," Ms Childers said.

Meanwhile, the Greens/EFA group today called on Commission president Barroso to provide transparency on the circumstances surrounding Mr Dalli's resignation  and for a review of EU tobacco rules not to be further delayed.

Commenting on situation, Greens co-president Dany Cohn-Bendit said:

"The circumstances surrounding the resignation of commissioner Dalli remain hazy, with resulting concerns being raised about undue influence. Commission president Barroso needs to lift the smoke and provide full transparency about the circumstances surrounding the resignation. This includes making the report by OLAF public, as it is clearly in the public interest."

Commenting in the context of today's debate with the Commission, Green public health spokesperson Michèle Rivasi (MEP France) added:

"The review of EU tobacco rules is long overdue and this latest delay reflects poorly on the Commission and its commitment to addressing this public health priority. Tobacco is the largest single cause of avoidable death in Europe and strengthening EU rules on labelling, health warnings and additives should clearly be a priority in this context. We implore Commission president Barroso not to play into the hands of the tobacco lobby and to ensure the legislative review is presented as soon as possible."

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