A European Parliament probe into harassment allegations in opposition to Belgian EU lawmaker Assita Kanko has been dropped, she mentioned Friday.
“Today I was informed that a complaint filed against me … has been dismissed,” the 43-year-old MEP mentioned in an emailed assertion.
“The competent committee has decided, on the basis of all the arguments, facts and results of the investigation, that the accusations against me of improper demanding behavior have proved to be unfounded. The president of the European Parliament follows the opinion of this committee and consequently dismisses the complaint,” Kanko added.
Kanko is among the six vice chairs of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, and her coverage specializations embrace the EU’s migration coverage.
POLITICO reported in May — based mostly on paperwork and testimonies from a number of parliamentary officers — that there was a tradition of concern inside Kanko’s workplace as she issued orders that had been inconceivable to fulfill and made private calls for that weren’t applicable for members of her workers.
Since the Qatargate corruption scandal erupted final December, the EU meeting has been beneath intense scrutiny, with two confirmed instances of harassment by European lawmakers this yr.
Kanko mentioned she was very happy the case had been dropped and that she wished to place the expertise behind her and her household. She took an anti-harassment course, organized by the European Parliament, in 2020. “It’s something I’ve always taken very seriously,” she added.
The one that filed the grievance mentioned that they “take note of the committee’s ruling, but cannot agree with its conclusions and recommendations.”
The European Parliament’s press service declined to remark and mentioned that “these procedures are confidential.”
Tim Ross contributed reporting.
