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.
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.
The elegant Comme Chez Soi is one of the great Brussels restaurants where businessmen on expense accounts mix with Eurocrats beneath its famous art nouveau glass ceilings. On a warm Wednesday evening in March, one of the diners turning up to sample the two Michelin star menu was Fritz-Harald Wenig, a director in the European commission's trade department. He had accepted an e-mail invitation to dine with two British lobbyists whom he had never met before. But it was one of his favourite restaurants and he was in good spirits. When the lobbyists explained that they wanted help for a Chinese client, he quipped, "We decide so after a second dinner here", before quickly adding: "No, I'm joking."
The elegant Comme Chez Soi is one of the great Brussels restaurants where businessmen on expense accounts mix with Eurocrats beneath its famous art nouveau glass ceilings.
On a warm Wednesday evening in March, one of the diners turning up to sample the two Michelin star menu was Fritz-Harald Wenig, a director in the European commission's trade department.
He had accepted an e-mail invitation to dine with two British lobbyists whom he had never met before. But it was one of his favourite restaurants and he was in good spirits.
When the lobbyists explained that they wanted help for a Chinese client, he quipped, "We decide so after a second dinner here", before quickly adding: "No, I'm joking."
To employ one of my more annoying sweeping statements, legal systems aren't about doing the right thing: They're about ensuring freedom from control for the upper classes, ensuring freedom from responsibility for the middle classes, and ensuring both apply to the lower classes. keep to the Fen Causeway
