Inge Gräßle, the EPP group spokeswoman in the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee, has called for the resignation of Giovanni Kessler, the director-general of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Mr Kessler conducted the investigations in the case of former EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, who resigned over corruption allegations.

At a press conference today, the Greens said Swedish Match had been prompted by OLAF to make false statements before Parliament.

Two days ago, the OLAF Supervisory Committee had pointed out to Parliament severe breaches of fundamental rights, including the recording of a telephone conversation and its evaluation without a judicial authorisation, as well as the instigation of third persons to produce such records of telephone conversations.

"Now the instigation of a third party, in this case Swedish Match, to make a false statement in front of Parliament adds to this record", said Ms Gräßle.

She demanded the disclosure of all breaches mentioned in the supervisory committee's report.

This report has been received by the presidents of the European council, commission and parliament, and has been unavailable since.

"The Presidents have to stop covering up for the breaches, everything has to be put on the table now," Ms Gräßle said.

She said that it was unacceptable that her own institution covered up the fact that it has been lied to all along.