European Institutions

‘Tobacco lobbyist was head of EU ethics committee’

Published on 20 December 2013 at 12:12

Cover

Michel Petite, head ot the European Union’s ethics committee tasked with the monitoring of the influence of lobbyists, resigned on December 18, because “his position had become untenable” due to a conflict of interest, notes De Standaard.
Last year, Green MEPs José Bové and Bart Staes revealed that while working as a lawyer for the firm Clifford Chance, Petite had on two occasions represented the interests of tobacco producer Philip Morris in meetings with the European Commission.
Following a complaint filed by three NGOs last February, the European ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, advised the Commission to replace Petite, and insisted that even the slightest suspicion of a conflict of interest was “unacceptable”.

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic