Updated: OLAF board resignation 'nothing to do' with Dalli case - spokesman
The change of president of the OLAF supervisory board has nothing to do with any actions of OLAF, a spokesman for the office said this morning.
This was confirmed in the afternoon by a statement issued by Johan Denolf, the chairman of the OLAF Supervisory Committee.
In the statement, Mr Denolf said that on October 17, the supervisory committee was formally informed of the existence of the Dalli case and of OLAF's director general intention to transfer it to the national judicial authorities of Malta.
Immediately thereafter, a member of the supervisory committee, Rita Schembri, withdrew from any of the work of the supervisory committee which might refer to that case to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
This was because the Maltese Internal Audit and Investigations Department, whcih fell under her portfolio as permanent secretary, had assisted OLAF in a part of that investigation conducted in Malta, as required by the administrative cooperation arrangement between the department and OLAF.
It was reported yesterday that Christiaan Timmermans, resigned from the presidency over alleged breach of procedure in the office's handling of the John Dalli case. Mr Dalli himself had invited journalists to investigate what was happening in the board.
"(New) president Denolf has informed the Director-General of OLAF, Mr G. Kessler, that the change of President has nothing to do with any actions of OLAF", spokesman Johan Wullt said.
He added that the resignation can in no way change the contents or conclusions of the (Dalli) report.
OLAF is the EU's anti-fraud office which investigated trading in influence claims involving John Dalli. Mr Dalli was asked to resign from the European Commission on the basis of its report.
"OLAF has finalised its report on the Dalli case and delivered it to the relevant authorities. The change of president of the supervisory committee can in no way change the contents or conclusions of that report," Mr Wullt said.
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Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 26th 2012, 09:20
Too many coincidences and too much obfuscating lack of transparency in the corridors of the EU.
Dalli is being damned not because he is proven guilty but because, like Caesar's wife, he should be above suspicion. By the same token Barroso, Kessler etc are all just as damned and should have the integrity to resign, within thirty minutes and without being allowed legal assistance.
william cauchi
Oct 25th 2012, 21:42
And we all thought that those in charge at the EU were white as white.
Well it now seems that they are no better than the rest of politicians all over the world, juruk id-debba u jqabbuzlek il-hmara.
Albert Critien
Oct 25th 2012, 14:12
The more you mess up with your comments the less respect you can expect from the people
E. Azzopardi
Oct 25th 2012, 13:37
Well, I do not believe it.
Frank Gauci
Oct 25th 2012, 13:09
OLAF, the EU's anti-fraud office is doing a fraud itself. From what I'm reading every day, I can say that a huge corruption is taking place against Mr. Dalli.
"(New) president Denolf has informed the Director-General of OLAF, Mr G. Kessler, that the change of President has nothing to do with any actions of OLAF", spokesman Johan Wullt said...... hahahahahaa how funny you are Mr. NEW PRESIDENT.
E Schembri
Oct 25th 2012, 12:38
This case stinks of corruption
Mark Anthony Caruana
Oct 25th 2012, 12:29
No details given regarding two resignations! very interesting! people are asking for answers and all they get are awkward comments as if the EU are hiding something...
this reminds me of the reaction Joseph Goebbels used to have when questioned about the war! its better for the Commission and Olaf to come clean about these resignations! if proof exists that Dalli is corrupt... why not expose it?
R. Balzan
Oct 25th 2012, 12:18
What an ambiguous and misleading statement - so typical of EU and its administrators. "The change of president of the OLAF supervisory board has nothing to do with any actions of OLAF", they say. This contradicts yesterday's press statement that "the resignation happened over alleged breach of procedure in the office's handling of the John Dalli case".
C. Sammut
Oct 25th 2012, 12:06
Interesting to see a Maltese lady on the OLAF supervisory board.. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/supervisory-committee/index_en.htm
Patrick Zammit
Oct 25th 2012, 12:05
and pigs fly
matin calleya
Oct 25th 2012, 13:22
and zig zag the way
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 25th 2012, 11:54
Evidently it is time for another EU Commission "spring cleaning" on the lines of the Jacques Santer mass resignation of 1999.
Joseph Brincat
Oct 25th 2012, 11:54
OLAF>>>> let's twist again !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw&feature=related
C Muscat
Oct 25th 2012, 11:53
Ha Ha Haj.... these people think that they can sell anything....
N Azzopardi
Oct 25th 2012, 11:50
What a coincidence. Now he had to resign Mr, Christiaan Timmermans. This is unsulting people's intelligence. We don't beleive it . Something is smelly here, and I think there will be more things to happen.
Karl Brincat
Oct 25th 2012, 11:47
Hekk joqnos... its merely a procedural issue that changes nothing on the merits...
Joseph Brincat
Oct 25th 2012, 11:44
OLAF board resignation 'nothing to do' with Dalli case - spokesman
IT reminds me of a song called >> let's twist again !!!
Joseph Brincat
Oct 25th 2012, 12:11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw&feature=related
Evarist Saliba
Oct 25th 2012, 11:41
The "snusgate" will not change the findings of the report on the use or otherwise of this tobacco product. However, no one has denied that it will postpone the implentation of the findings for an unspecified period of time. The resignation of Timmermans is on procedural issues, serious enough to trigger his resignation. Was the right procedure followed in Dalli's case?
Victor Laiviera
Oct 25th 2012, 12:12
It's "Dalligate", Mr Saliba.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 25th 2012, 14:12
@ Victor Laiviera
It is Dalligate for some but it is "snusgate" for those who are not blinded by a political agenda in whetever they do.
paul camilleri
Oct 25th 2012, 11:34
Well what did you expect them to say???
Please choose the reason of your report below: