Complaint to the European ombudsman

Friends of the Earth Europe filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman on 30 April 2008 against a decision by Mr. Fraser, Head of Cabinet of Mr. Mandelson, Commissioner for External Trade. The complaint was regarding two members of the Cabinet being allowed to attend the opening match of the rugby World Cup in Paris on 7 September 2007 at the invitation of sportswear company Nike, thus enjoying VIP hospitality. Friends of the Earth believes that there is a conflict of interest as these two senior officials have been involved in trade defence cases such as the anti-dumping of Chinese and Vietnamese shoes issue.