Lords quiz legal experts on role of European Public Prosecutor
A former President of Eurojust is one of the witnesses who will appear before the House of Lords Justice, Institutions and Consumer Protection EU Sub-Committee on Wednesday 2 April, as it continues its investigation into the role of the proposed new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
At 3.50pm, the Committee will question:
- Mike Kennedy, former President of Eurojust;
- Dr Anna Bradshaw, a member of the Law Society of England and Wales' EU Committee; and
- James MacGuill, Chair of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe's (CCBE) Criminal Law Committee.
Questions the witnesses are likely to face include:
- What is your view on our recent report's findings that some Member States are unenthusiastic about pursuing crimes against the EU's financial interests?
- Do you agree that any decision to prosecute an individual for fraud on the EU's finances should remain with the relevant national authority?
- What potential problems do you see rising from the fact that the current draft of the EPPO does not address the position of non-participating Member States?
- The UK has not opted into the proposed EPPO. The Director General of OLAF has suggested that our judicial system will not be affected by it. Do you agree?
- If the EPPO comes into existence, what steps would be necessary to protect the position of the non-participating Member States?
