The arrogance of Juncker’s Monster
Resign? That’s for others says Brussels aide in sleaze probe
THE top Brussels official at the centre of an Eu sleaze probe last night insisted he won’t resign.
Martin Selmayr has faced calls to quit after a watchdog suggested laws were broken in order to fast-track him for promotion.
He was given the role of secretary-general of the Eu Commission – the most senior civil service post in Brussels – in a way that ‘stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the law’.
But the official, Jean-Claude Juncker’s right-hand man in Brussels, was last night accused of ‘planetary- scale arrogance’ when he brazenly denied the fiasco was ‘embarrassing’.
The German, nicknamed ‘The Monster’ by Mr Juncker for his ruthlessness, insisted that ‘no laws’ were broken when he was effectively promoted twice in ten minutes. Speaking to the Mail outside his smart apartment in central Brussels, he said: ‘Resign? I think resignations are for other people.’ Asked if it was embarrassing for him and Mr Juncker, who was found partly at fault in the investigation, he added: ‘I don’t think it is very embarrassing at all.
‘I think the European union is in a strong position. We have a very good system for selecting senior officials.’ The 47-year-old lawyer added: ‘The European union is on the basis of law and we’ll continue to be on the basis of law.
‘I’m a very qualified lawyer, that’s why I feel very confident. The European Commission has broken no laws.’
His comments come after Emily O’Reilly, the independent European Ombudsman, recommended a new process for appointing the secretary-general post after ruling officials were guilty of acts of ‘maladministration’.
She also ruled that the Commission – the arm of the Eu which oversees Brexit and of which Mr Juncker is president – had damaged public trust in Brussels and that its response to the allegations had been ‘defensive’ and ‘evasive’.
The Commission showed either ‘a lack of self-awareness’ or ‘a wilful refusal to admit to them’, she said. Critics yesterday renewed calls for Mr Selmayr to step down so the process can be re-run fairly. Tory MEP david Campbell Bannerman said: ‘Mr Selmayr’s comments are planetary- scale arrogance. This represents the rotten core of the Eu.’ Fellow Tory MEP daniel Hannan added: ‘No one takes the blame. No one resigns.
‘It’s precisely that kind of arrogance that people were voting against [ when they voted for Brexit].’ Mrs O’Reilly’s report ruled that Mr Juncker allowed lines to blur between administrative independence and his political closeness to Mr Selmayr, previously his chief of staff.
The report ruled that an urgency to fill the post was ‘created artificially’ after the previous incumbent announced his retirement.
At the same meeting Mr Selmayr was first promoted to deputy secretary-general and then into the top job within about ten minutes. The report added: ‘And all of this in a context where the proposed appointment of a new secretarygeneral was not on the meeting agenda and no background papers had been circulated.’
It meant Mr Selmayr was effectively parachuted into the Eu’s most senior civil service post. The Commission says some findings may be down to ‘misunderstandings’. Mr Selmayr is no stranger to controversy. He is alleged to have leaked details of a key Brexit dinner at downing Street between Theresa May and Mr Juncker last year - a claim he denies. diplomats say he is also known for wanting to punish Britain for leaving the Eu.
‘Martin the Monster’ facing calls to quit over EU sleaze probe Wednesday’s Daily Mail