Jeleva resignation "A victory for common sense and the European Parliament" - 2010-01-19

"This is not an issue of politics it is purely a matter of her ability to do a good job," said Glenis Willmott, Leader of the Labour MEPs, on hearing that Rumiana Jeleva had resigned as Bulgarian candidate for the European Commission.

"Common sense has prevailed. The issue was her competence. She did not give a good account of herself at the hearing.  

"We are looking forward to working with a new Commissioner from Bulgaria. This is a victory for accountability to the European Parliament," she said.

West Midlands Labour MEP Michael Cashman was one of the leading MEPs involved in Italian Commissioner-designate Rocco Buttiglione failing to be nominated five years ago.

As a member of the Parliament's Development Committee, he was one of the first to lead on questions to Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva.

"It is always a moment of sadness when someone resigns from public office. She is a good woman, who served well as an MEP, and I wish her well with the future. However, I am glad she came to the conclusion that the job is not right for her," he said.

"From when we first met, I urged Jeleva that it was essential to be robust in dispelling any rumours, and equally strong when it came to transparency in all matters.  

"It was for this reason that I questioned her on allegations relating to other business interests which did not appear in her declaration of interest.  

"Even though she was cleared by the European Parliament's legal services, she failed to demonstrate, during the Hearing, confidence suitable for the position," he concluded.

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