Cox help requested in tax case

Date: 13/06/02

By Martin Banks

PAT Cox, the president of the European Parliament, has been asked to speed up a decision on whether Italian MEP Marcello Dell'Utri can face tax evasion charges.

Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón wants the Forza Italia deputy's parliamentary immunity waived so he can answer the charges against him.

But a decision on Garzón's request, first made nearly 18 months ago, has been delayed several times.

The latest hold-up came after the European Parliament's legal affairs committee asked earlier this year for more information about the case from the high-profile Spanish judge. Members are still waiting for his response.

Now Irishman Cox has been asked to personally intervene in the case by the group of Socialists in the Parliament.

Martin Schulz, deputy leader of the PES, accused Conservative and Liberal members of the committee of colluding to prevent Dell'Utri having to face possible trial in Spain.

Speaking at this week's Strasbourg plenary, the German deputy said: 'We have all the documents we need and there are no further questions to be asked in this case. Despite this, some members, for reasons best known to themselves, still keep finding yet more hindrances to a decision being made.

'The group has now asked Cox to exert pressure on all those involved so that a final decision can be made on whether Dell'Utri's immunity should be waived or not.

'The president promised he would make this a top priority and we hope he will stand by his word.

'The current situation is quite intolerable. Dell'Utri is under investigation for alleged serious crimes and this matter needs clearing up once and for all.'`

Dell'Utri denies any wrongdoing in the Spanish case, which relates to his time as an executive with a Madrid-based television channel owned by Italian premier and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi.

The MEP, who is currently on trial in Sicily for alleged links with the Mafia, says he has nothing to hide and has indicated that he would be happy for his immunity to be lifted.

Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament, has been asked to speed up a decision on whether Italian MEP Marcello Dell'Utri can face tax evasion charges.