European Commission spokesperson says Olivér Várhelyi denies knowledge of his country targeting staff
Hungary’s EU commissioner has denied any knowledge of alleged attempted spying by his government during his time as the country’s top diplomat in Brussels, according to a commission spokesperson.
Olivér Várhelyi sat down with European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, on Sunday to discuss the allegations reported by a consortium of investigative journalists last week.
On Monday, the commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, said: “The president asked the commissioner whether he was aware of any recruitment attempts by Hungarian intelligence services targeting the European Commission staff while he was at the permanent representation of Hungary.
“The commissioner said he was not aware of these attempts.”
