Two transferred in Eurostat probe

Date: 22/05/03

By David Cronin

THE European Commission has transferred the head of Eurostat and another official accused of being involved in the "vast looting" of taxpayers' money while a probe into their activities at the data collection office is carried out.

Yves Franchet, director-general of Eurostat since 1987, and senior official Daniel Byk, had requested the move. Both deny any wrongdoing.

Their transfer was approved by commissioners yesterday (21 May). The pair will act as advisors at the Commission's directorate-general for administration.

France's Tribunal de Grande Instance has launched an investigation, triggered by the EU's anti-fraud office OLAF, into allegations that Franchet and Byk set up a bank account into which up to €900,000 of Eurostat money was allegedly diverted. Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinen said the transfer of the pair was not a disciplinary measure and was intended to allow them a chance to defend themselves.