Investigation into costly EU building

The European Commission has ordered an investigation into the spiralling costs of rebuilding its headquarters in Brussels.

The Commission says it wants to know why it is now estimated that the final cost will be three times higher than the original estimate.

It also wants to know why the work has been subject to so many delays.

The Commission says it will not allow any more taxpayers' money to be spent on the project until the investigation is completed. Last year the European Union's anti-fraud office launched an inquiry into possible serious mismanagement of the project after concerns were raised about a suspicious invoice.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service