Ganley hits out in MEP immunity row

Parliament's decision not to waive the immunity from prosecution of Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda has been condemned by Libertas founder Declan Ganley.

The Irishman said, "This is another clear demonstration that the parliament operates above normal law and order and continues to be unaccountable to European citizens."

Swoboda, who has been tipped as a possible next leader of the Socialist group, criticised Ganley over the businessman's controversial meeting with Václav Klaus, the fiery Czech president, in Dublin last November.

The PES deputy leader reportedly told the Austrian press the meeting was "scandalous, not because Ganley opposes the Lisbon treaty but because this man spreads many lies".

It is also claimed he described Ganley's funding activities as "opaque and dubious".

In response, the Vienna criminal court asked parliament to lift Swoboda's immunity from prosecution with a view to taking possible legal action.

But MEPs meeting in Strasbourg on Wednesday rejected the request.

Ganley responded by saying, "This MEP told damaging and outrageous lies to the Austrian media about me but parliament has concluded that he spoke in the performance of his duties and therefore will not waive his immunity.

"Swoboda's lies were an attempt to discredit the democratic will of the Irish people on the Lisbon Treaty. That the parliament will allow people to lie, as long as it's considered in the performance of their duties, shows that it has no idea about its duty to European citizens.

"The parliament wants to operate above the law and order of normal society."

Swoboda was not available for comment.

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