EU top court to hear Cresson case

Cresson: Accused of hiring a friend

The European Commission has said it will take its former member Edith Cresson to the European Court of Justice over alleged abuse of office.

The court will decide whether Mrs Cresson, who served in 1995-99, should have her pension reduced or stripped.

Last month, a Belgian court dismissed charges against Ms Cresson, who also served as French prime minister, for lack of evidence.

She was at the centre of allegations which forced the Commission to resign.

'Favouritism and negligence'

"The European Commission has decided today to refer the file relating to the alleged breaches of Ms Cresson's obligations as a Commissioner to the European Court of Justice," said the Commission in a statement.

The breaches "concern 'favouritism' and 'gross negligence'," it said.

The EU's highest court will determine whether Mrs Cresson, 70, broke the rules when she hired a dentist and friend from her French constituency as a scientific adviser.

The controversy contributed to the decision of the entire commission to resign in 1999.

A Belgian court dismissed criminal charges of corruption against Mrs Cresson last month for lack of evidence, but the EU executive says this case is separate as it concerns her obligations under the Commission's Treaty.

Mrs Cresson maintains she is innocent.