VdL Needs More Detail Before Deciding On Trade Comm. Hogan's Fate

A European Commission spokesperson has said that President Ursula von der Leyen will require more information on the actions of Trade Commissioner, Irishman Phil Hogan, before deciding on whether he continues in his position, with the spokesperson stating that VdL expects a full report by 1400CET today.

• Hogan is under intense scrutiny following his attendance at a golf dinner in the west of Ireland. A number of prominent Irish politicians attended the event, with Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary and leas-chathaoirleach (deputy chairman of the Irish senate) Jerry Buttimer already having stood down following a major public backlash against the attendees, given that the event breached Ireland's COVID-19 restriction measures.
• The general view is that Hogan will not be forced to resign, with the EC spokesperson saying it is 'absolutely premature' to talk about sanctions at this stage.
• Hogan is a prominent figure in the European Commission in his position as trade commissioner, and the loss of a high-ranking individual would reflect poorly on the VdL Commission and set off a series of moves within the Commission to replace Hogan taking focus off the Commission's work in securing a new MFF and COVID-19 recovery package.