Dalli ‘Resignation’ - Did he fall or was he pushed?

Local MEP Paul Nuttall has raised questions following the abrupt end to the tenure of European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli.

"Did he resign or was he sacked?" queried Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

“The European Commission news release suggests that he resigned, to clear his name, following a report from OLAF, the EU’s fraud investigation unit, relating to his alleged involvement in influence via a Maltese entrepreneur over EU tobacco policy.

"But EU rules state that 'A member of the European Commission shall resign if the President so requests’. That leaves open the question did he fall or was he pushed?

"As the ‘resignation with immediate effect’ came so swiftly after the OLAF report was received by the Commission, Mr Barroso, the Commission President, should make this clear to everyone. Sacking someone and spinning it as a ‘resignation’ is dishonest and misleading in regard to the seriousness of the matters involved.

“It brings to an end a brief but undistinguished Commission career for Mr Dalli," said Mr Nuttall.