The new European transport commissioner Jacques Barrot started work last week and appeared to have succeeded in fending off last-minute questions over his appointment. The European Parliament, which had delayed by three weeks its approval of the entire 25-member European Union cabinet, or Commission, has asked its legal team to examine a letter sent by Barrot on 22 November detailing a conviction for political party financing irregularities. The conviction was quashed under French presidential amnesty and as such Barrot was not required to declare it to the new Commission president Jos‚ Manuel Barroso. The Socialist group of European parliamentarians, which holds the balance of power in the assembly, says it will abide by the decision of the lawyers, who look likely to approve Barrot's appointment, says UK Labour party leader in the parliament Gary Titley.
Source: Flight International
