Hogan Facing Increasing Pressure To Resign After TV Interview

European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan is facing increasing pressure to resign after a television interview broadcast last night in his native Ireland.

• The interview on RTÉ was intended to put an end to the ongoing scandal known in Ireland as 'golfgate', where a number of senior politicians, including Hogan, broke the country's COVID-19 restrictions in order to attend a golfing dinner.
• In the interview, Hogan insisted on an incorrect interpretation of Ireland's rules on individuals returning from Belgium. This came only hours after Hogan had delivered a memorandum to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that he had done nothing to contravene Ireland's rules.
• In an unprecedented move, Irish Taoiseach (PM) Micheál Martin and his deputy Leo Varadkar issued a statement on Hogan's actions, saying "clear that breaches of public health guidelines were made" and that his "delayed and hesitant release of information undermined public confidence."
• This leaves VdL in a difficult position. Keeping Hogan in office could undermine the credibility of her Commission just at a time when she is trying to ensure the multi-annual financial framework and COVID-19 recovery package are passed. Conversely, if she removes him from his position it could be seen to be due to the pressure from the Irish gov't in Dublin, setting a precedent for gov'ts to call for their country's Commissioner in public should they stray from the gov'ts line.
• The scandal represents a notable fall from grace for Hogan, who only weeks ago was viewed as a potential EU-backed nominee for the position of WTO Director-General.
• Should Hogan be removed from office, Irish journalists are mentioning EU sources saying that David O'Sullivan - former EU ambassador to the US - is being pushed as a potential replacement for Hogan by the Irish gov't.