Antonio Vitorino

Date: 09/09/1999

THE Portuguese nominee given responsibility for the sensitive justice and home affairs dossier had a bruising encounter with the parliamentary committee he used to head.

Several members of the assembly's civil liberties committee asked pointed questions about Vitorino's handling of a tax-dodging enquiry which led to the deputy premier's resignation in 1997.

The former MEP defended himself fiercely, insisting he had been “completely cleared of any wrongdoing” by the Portuguese authorities and had refused any public post until exonerated.

Some members remained unconvinced, however, with UK Conservative Tim Kirkhope brandishing a declaration to the Portuguese authorities which he claimed was false. “Without trust and honesty you surely cannot perform the duties expected of you as Justice Commissioner,” said the MEP.

Vitorino was on more secure ground outlining his plans for EU justice and home affairs policy. The would-be Commissioner said that there were three main challenges in this field: responding to public demands for freedom, security and justice; making Union actions more “visible”; and improving the effectiveness of efforts to combat cross-border crime.

Promising close cooperation with the Strasbourg-based assembly, the Socialist politician said that “it would not make sense to promote a policy which does not enjoy the support of this committee”.