After a year-long inquiry based on three separate complaints, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has asked that former Commission President Barroso’s employment with Goldman Sachs Bank be reassessed by its Ethics Committee in relation to its compatibility with the relevant Treaty obligations.

Ms O’Reilly made the Recommendation as the Ethics Committee’s initial assessment reflected a commitment from Mr Barroso that he would not lobby the Commission. This has now been put in doubt by a meeting, which took place between Mr Barroso and a Commission Vice-President.

The meeting was registered as a meeting with the Goldman Sachs Bank and therefore had the appearances of a meeting for the purposes of lobbying. Mr Barroso and the Vice President subsequently said that the meeting was a private and personal meeting.  

The Ombudsman has also asked that the Commission should consider requiring that its former President abstain from lobbying the Comm