Phil Hogan: European Union Trade Commissioner resigns for skipping coronavirus restrictions on vacation

The European Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan, resigned this Wednesday night after the controversy unleashed after he skipped the restrictions imposed to stop the coronavirus pandemic during his holidays in Ireland, his native country. In a statement, his letter of resignation has been delivered to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, after it became “increasingly clear that the controversy over his visit to Ireland was a distraction from his work as commissioner.” The commissioner was in the spotlight since a series of information was released about his attendance in the middle of a pandemic at an event of the Parliament Golf Society (Oireachtas) along with 80 other people, a scandal now known in the country as ‘Golfgate’. Just a day ago, leaders of the three governing coalition parties in Ireland noted that concern about Hogan’s conduct “continued” despite to the explanations offered by it. Furthermore, the leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan, went one step further and assured that “the Government had lost confidence in the Commissioner.” “I am deeply sorry that my trip to Ireland has caused so much concern and anger. I have always tried to comply with the regulations on COVID-19 “, he stressed before defending that” I thought I had complied with all the guidelines “, especially after undergoing a test and” giving negative. “Thus, Hogan has reiterated his I apologize to the Irish people for the mistakes made during your visit and have acknowledged the “incredible efforts” made by the people to contain the virus. “The European Commission will continue to show its support to defeat this terrible pandemic,” he assured.On the challenge posed by the coronavirus for society and the global economy, he said “be aware” and recalled that he has been in the “front row” when it comes to offering a response from the European institutions to the health crisis. “I know the devastating impact that the coronavirus has had on individuals and their families and I understand that they feel hurt and angry because they believe that those who carry out public work are not complying with the established measures, “he said before insisting that” it has not broken the law “, although he regrets not having been” more rigorous “. In addition, he has expressed that it is an” honor “to have served the European Commission and stressed that he” believes in the European project. ” “When the global economy faces great challenges and turmoil, the importance of the EU as a global leader remains enormous.” Von der Leyen, for his part, thanked Hogan for his “tireless” work. and he has said that he “respects his decision.” “He was a respected member and I wish him all the best for the future,” he said. Hogan made his movements known during his stay in Ireland and explained that the transfer between counties, entering some that were confined, was due to reasons Shortly afterwards it came to light that he was stopped by the police for using his mobile phone while driving, while the latest information suggests that he did not strictly keep the 14-day quarantine when he arrived in Ireland and, the same day he landed, He dined with two people in a restaurant; the case had already cost political office to several people who attended the same event as the European Commissioner, including the Minister of Agriculture and another senior member of the Irish Parliament.Hogan, however, had refused to resign despite the fact that Von der Leyen herself had asked him for an explanation about what happened.