The European Commission opened disciplinary proceedings against the veteran director-general of its statistical office Eurostat, Mr Yves Franchet, and two aides today over alleged fraud, an EU source said.
The decision was due to be announced at a news conference later today after Commission Vice-President Mr Neil Kinnock and Economics and Finance Commissioner Mr Pedro Solbes report it to leaders of the European Parliament, the source said.
"You will learn that these (actions) are truly decisive and drastic and will amount to addressing the problems that we have found in a very substantial manner," chief Commission spokesman Mr Reijo Kemppinen told a news conference.
