Brussels - The pressure on French European Commissioner Ms Edith Cresson to resign mounted yesterday as it emerged that an investigation is under way into contracts awarded to one of her close associates.
A Commission spokesman confirmed that the financial controllers had demanded to see contracts awarded to Mr Rene Berthelot, a dentist from Ms Cresson's home town whom she appointed as a special scientific adviser. Last month Ms Cresson denied reports she had intervened to oppose a request for Mr Berthelot to repay some of the money he received from the Commission.