EU trade commissioner steps down after breaking COVID-19 measures
The European Union Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan, has tendered his resignation from his position.
Hogan made the decision on Wednesday August 26, 2020, after news of his participation at a social event which broke Irish rules towards curbing the novel coronavirus, caused a political scandal.
Hogan attended a golf society dinner with 80 other people, just 24 hours after Irish government placed a ban on indoor gatherings exceeding six people.
Regardless of Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin’s plea to “consider his position” on Saturday and the mounting pressure from the Irish and Brussels-based media, Hogan waited until Wednesday to step down.
“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,” he wrote in a statement.
Hogan also gave a “heartfelt apology to the Irish people,” acknowledging the “hurt and anger” of the families suffering from COVID-19 “when they feel that those in public service do not meet the standards expected of them.”
Hogan has been assuming public office for almost 40 years, rising from local politics to the Irish parliament.
He served as a state minister in finance and environment minister as well.
