A Sting In The EU
WHEN newspapers investigate, journalism is saved:
SAYS EU Ref: “No messing – no irony: this is truly good journalism, a job that only the media can do. The Sunday Times has run a “sting” operation on a corrupt EU official in Brussels. The story opens as follows:”
A top official in Peter Mandelson’s European Union trade department has leaked highly sensitive commercial information in return for the promise of financial benefit.
In a six-month investigation, The Sunday Times tape-recorded Fritz-Harald Wenig, a trade director, passing secrets to undercover reporters posing as lobbyists for a Chinese businessman seeking insider information.
Wenig discussed the possibility of payment or taking a lucrative job with the businessman. He said he would decide further once he had provided “results”.
He leaked the names of two Chinese companies likely to get special status if the EU imposes a protective tariff barrier against Chinese candle-makers. The information is potentially worth millions to those trading with these companies.
“This was over dinner in the elegant Comme Chez Soi (pictured), one of the great Brussels restaurants. The paper has a more detailed report here, which is well worth reading.”
Read it…
Posted: 7th, September 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Politicians Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
