New EU sleaze rules delayed

Cost concerns have forced Brussels to postpone proposals for new rules to tackle public perceptions of sleaze at the heart of the EU.

New ethical standards for EU officials and Brussels politicians were to be unveiled by the European Commission on Friday but have been put back until November 9.

EU officials are looking for “clarification of the practical consequences of some of the measures”.

Some commissioners are concerned over the public cost of proposals that, for example, require the publication of a list of all interests that have lobbied on a specific EU law.

“What is the cost if 15,000 or 500,000 lobbyists or individuals have been involved in a consultation?,” said a source.

“The proposals must increase transparency not increase the burden on European tax payers.”

Following rows over holiday gifts to senior European commissioners this spring, the EU executive is seeking to open a debate on standards in public life.

A policy ‘green paper’ – to be opened to public consultation –- has focused on three areas:

• Publication of the beneficiaries of EU funds
• Lobbying activities
• Standards in public life

Proposals will include scrutiny of the commission's code of conduct and may lead to the creation of an EU ethics committee.

Since 1999, European Commissioners have signed up to a code of conduct, which was further strengthened in 2004.

A five-strong ethics body to advise on standards in public life is not envisaged to rule on individual cases.

The idea is not a new one but revives five-year old proposals drawn up in the aftermath of a 1999 European Commission collapse triggered by sleaze allegations.

Moves to set up such a watchdog have been opposed by EU member states and MEPs nervous at creating such a powerful institution.

Many EU politicians and officials are wary of creating an independent political body that could rule on issues relating to public perception of a Brussels ‘gravy train’.

The ‘transparency initiative’ follows controversy surrounding the holiday arrangements of José Manuel Barroso and, to a lesser extent, other commissioners.

Back in April, the European Commission president was embroiled in a row over his summer holiday arrangements in 2004.

Barroso was criticised for taking a €20,000 family holiday at the expense of a friend and Greek shipping magnate Spyros Latsis.

The former Portuguese prime minister insisted the affair was a private matter but has acted to head off criticism.

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