Rocco Buttiglione rejected by European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee

5.31.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Oct 2004

The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee has voted by a majority, not only to reject Rocco Buttiglione as Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, but also, due to an extraordinary vote by the Christian Democrat-Conservative (EPP) group, to reject him altogether as a Commissioner.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats said:

"I am glad the Civil Liberties committee has spoken against Mr Buttiglione becoming justice Commissioner. Not only does he lack enthusiasm and knowledge for the job, but he also failed to convince that he could be a champion of fundamental freedoms or civil liberties or even effective security cooperation."

"It is vital to have a Commissioner for this key portfolio dealing with issues like anti-terrorism, asylum policy, combating discrimination and data protection who has both intellectual backbone and the ability to reflect mainstream European values."

But commenting on the outcome of a second vote in which Mr Buttiglione was rejected as a Commissioner, even with another portfolio, Baroness Ludford added:

"The EPP behaved in a petulant manner, cutting off their nose to spite their face. While Liberals, Socialists and Greens were ready to see Mr Buttiglione allocated another portfolio, the Right as bad losers voted to deprive him of a Commission post altogether!"