EU trade chief Phil Hogan resigns after 'coronavirus lockdown breach'

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has announced his resignation after he allegedly breached lockdown restrictions in Ireland.

Mr Hogan has faced sharp criticism for attending a golf dinner with more than 80 people in County Galway on August 19.

He travelled around the country during his summer break from Brussels despite coronavirus rules obliging him to self-isolate for 14 days.

He insisted he did not break any regulations while at home but Taoiseach Micheal Martin and other senior members of his government said his actions breached public health guidance.

They said Mr Hogan had "undermined public confidence".

On Wednesday, the senior politician released a statement saying: "This evening I have tendered my resignation as EU Trade Commissioner to the President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen.

“It was becoming increasingly clear that the controversy concerning my recent visit to Ireland was becoming a distraction from my work as an EU Commissioner and would undermine my work in the key months ahead.

“I deeply regret that my trip to Ireland – the country that I have been so proud to represent as a public servant for most of my adult life – caused such concern, unease and upset.”

Mr Hogan had been expected to play a key role in establishing the EU’s relationship with Britain following Brexit.

Ms Von der Leyen had previously sought an explanation from her commissioner over his conduct.

On Tuesday, spokeswoman Dana Spinant said the European Commision president was examining the case after Mr Hogan sent her a 20-page report of his time in Ireland, which included the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner.

Following his decision to step down, Ms von der Leyen said: “Commissioner Phil Hogan has submitted his resignation. I respect his decision.

“I am very grateful to him for his tireless work as a trade commissioner since the start of this mandate and for his successful term as commissioner in charge of agriculture in the previous college.

“He was a valuable and respected member of the college. I wish him all the best for the future.”

The golfing event attracted widespread anger since it came a short time after Ireland tightened restrictions amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Hogan apologised "fully and unreservedly" for attending the soirée which he acknowledged had "touched a nerve" with Irish people.

But in his resignation announcement on Wednesday, he doubled down on his insistence that he had not broken any law.

Mr Hogan insisted he had always tried to comply with all relevant regulations in Ireland and that he had followed all public health guidelines, particularly following confirmation of a negative Covid-19 test.

He said: “I reiterate my heartfelt apology to the Irish people for the mistakes I made during my visit", while stressing he fully appreciated the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“As European trade commissioner, I have been at the front line of the European Union’s response to the crisis,” he said.

“I recognise and appreciate the devastating impact of Covid-19 on individuals and families, and I fully understand their sense of hurt and anger when they feel that those in public service do not meet the standards expected of them.

“As a public representative I should have been more rigorous in my adherence to the Covid guidelines,” he added.

“It has been the honour of my life to serve as European Commissioner, first in Agriculture and Rural Development and then in Trade.

“I believe the project of European Union is our shared continent’s crowning achievement: a force for peace and prosperity the likes of which the world has never seen.”

The Irish Government responded to the news with its own statement.

Three-party coalition said: “The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister Ryan acknowledge the resignation of Mr Phil Hogan and while this must have been a difficult decision for him personally, we believe that it is the correct course of action given the circumstances of the past week.

“We all have a responsibility to support and adhere to public health guidelines and regulations.

“We all must persevere in our efforts against Covid 19.

“Former commissioner Hogan has served Europe and Ireland with distinction."

“The Government will consider his replacement in due course.”

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