Brussels - The European Commission yesterday agreed to lift the diplomatic immunity of the former French commissioner, Ms Edith Cresson, to allow her to be questioned by the Belgian judicial authorities, Patrick Smyth reports. Six EU officials have formally been given permission to speak to the investigating magistrate.
Ms Cresson, who has said she supports the lifting of the immunity, faces questioning over the hiring of her dentist, Mr Rene Berthelot, as a scientific consultant to the EU. Mr Berthelot, who was paid some £100,000 by the Commission, appears to have done little or no work.