European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has resigned amid a scandal over his violation of quarantine rules. A week ago, he was among at least 80 other people at the Gala Dinner of the Parliamentary Golf Club in the Irish town of Clifden. In his statement, the official notes that he regrets this act, although he insists that he has not violated any laws.
The Irish government is convinced of the opposite. There are restrictions on holding mass events. In addition, Hogan made several private trips around the country without first self-isolating for two weeks. He also visited the quarantined County Kildare.
"I realize that although I did not break the laws, all these mistakes distracted me and the Commission from my work. Over the past few days, I have had to seriously think about a lot. My conclusion is that any distractions should be eliminated ", - says the former European Commissioner.
In her Twitter, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that she respects Hogan's decision and thanked him for the work done. At the same time, Brussels will now have to urgently find a replacement for a key figure in the negotiations on the future EU-UK relations after Brexit - just a few months before the end of the transition period.
