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Man set to be UK's last EU commissioner to be questioned by MEPs MEPs to question man set to be UK's last EU commissioner
(35 minutes later)
The man likely to become Britain’s last EU commissioner is due to be grilled by MEPs about his suitability for the job.The man likely to become Britain’s last EU commissioner is due to be grilled by MEPs about his suitability for the job.
Sir Julian King, a career civil servant currently serving as ambassador to France, is the British government’s choice to become the UK’s top official in Brussels. But first he must win the backing of MEPs on Monday evening, who will vote on whether to confirm him in the role of commissioner for “security union”.Sir Julian King, a career civil servant currently serving as ambassador to France, is the British government’s choice to become the UK’s top official in Brussels. But first he must win the backing of MEPs on Monday evening, who will vote on whether to confirm him in the role of commissioner for “security union”.
King would take Britain’s place around the table at the EU executive’s headquarters in Brussels following the departure of Jonathan Hill, who resigned as financial services chief following the Brexit vote.King would take Britain’s place around the table at the EU executive’s headquarters in Brussels following the departure of Jonathan Hill, who resigned as financial services chief following the Brexit vote.
MEPs on the European parliament’s civil liberties committee will quiz King at a three-hour public hearing in Strasbourg. The committee, led by British Labour MEP Claude Moraes, will question King on the details of EU counter-terrorism strategy.MEPs on the European parliament’s civil liberties committee will quiz King at a three-hour public hearing in Strasbourg. The committee, led by British Labour MEP Claude Moraes, will question King on the details of EU counter-terrorism strategy.
The British commissioner-designate will almost inevitably face questions over Brexit, although at the commission his job would be to act in the common EU interest, not to speak for the British government.The British commissioner-designate will almost inevitably face questions over Brexit, although at the commission his job would be to act in the common EU interest, not to speak for the British government.
Some prominent MEPs had argued the UK should not get any portfolio in the commission following the Brexit vote. But MEPs may be reassured by the fact King will be a junior member of the commission. He will report to the commission vice-president, Frans Timmermans, who will have the final say over any legislative initiatives. King will also not automatically attend ministerial meetings, usually a key part of a commissioner’s job. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the commissioner in charge of home affairs and migration, will represent the commission on security policy at meetings with national ministers.Some prominent MEPs had argued the UK should not get any portfolio in the commission following the Brexit vote. But MEPs may be reassured by the fact King will be a junior member of the commission. He will report to the commission vice-president, Frans Timmermans, who will have the final say over any legislative initiatives. King will also not automatically attend ministerial meetings, usually a key part of a commissioner’s job. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the commissioner in charge of home affairs and migration, will represent the commission on security policy at meetings with national ministers.
King will have the opportunity at Monday’s hearing to make a 15-minute statement setting out his objectives before facing questions from all political groups in the committee. No decision on King’s appointment will be made until Thursday, when there will be a vote in the European parliament.King will have the opportunity at Monday’s hearing to make a 15-minute statement setting out his objectives before facing questions from all political groups in the committee. No decision on King’s appointment will be made until Thursday, when there will be a vote in the European parliament.
Although the parliament’s vote is not binding, tradition has shown that a commissioner cannot take office without its support.Although the parliament’s vote is not binding, tradition has shown that a commissioner cannot take office without its support.