‘I did not break any law’: Phil Hogan formally resigns as EU commissioner

Phil Hogan has not appeared in public since it emerged he flouted Ireland’s coronavirus restrictions. https://www.eudebates.tv/ #eudebates #coronavirusbelgium #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID #EUstaff #EUemployees #Hogan #PhilHogan #Golfgate European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set Phil Hogan a 2 p.m. deadline Tuesday to clarify details about his movements in Ireland, a Commission spokesperson said. The trade commissioner made a second trip to the county of Kildare last week when movements in the region were restricted by a local lockdown, Irish media reported early today. He has already admitted attending a packed golfing soirée with some 80 others, in breach of national coronavirus rules. Phil Hogan has resigned as Ireland’s European Commissioner in the wake of the controversy over his breaches of public safety restrictions in Ireland. Last week, Mr Hogan attended the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden, with 80 others, and his movements to and from the controversial event while coronavirus restrictions were in place have been under scrutiny. Mr Hogan had come under increasing pressure after he was asked to give an account of his movements while in Ireland by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The departure means Ireland will have to nominate a new commissioner to replace Mr Hogan. It is unclear whether Ireland will retain the key trade portfolio, as this is at the discretion of Dr von der Leyen, who may choose to reshuffle her commissioners. In a statement on Wednesday night, Mr Hogan said the controversy was becoming a distraction from his work as an EU Commissioner and would undermine it in the key months ahead “I deeply regret that my trip to Ireland – the country that I have been so proud to represent as a public servant for most of my adult life - caused such concern, unease and upset. I have always tried to comply with all relevant Covid-19 regulations in Ireland and had understood that I had met with all relevant public health guidelines, particularly following confirmation of a negative Covid-19 test. “I reiterate my heartfelt apology to the Irish people for the mistakes I made during my visit. The Irish people have made incredible efforts to contain the coronavirus, and the European Commission will continue to support you, and all EU member states, in defeating this terrible pandemic.” He also said he recognises the devastating impact of Covid-19 on individuals and families. “I fully understand their sense of hurt and anger when they feel that those in public service do not meet the standards expected of them. It is important to state that I did not break any law. As a public representative I should have been more rigorous in my adherence to the Covid guidelines.”