Question
The Commission will be aware that, earlier this year, Mr Bernie Ecclestone settled a court case, in which he stood accused of bribery, by paying a settlement of GBP 60 million to the court, without the issue of his guilt or innocence being settled.
- Has the Commission considered whether such a procedure is contrary to EU values and to the Charter of Fundamental Rights?
- Does this not also raise an issue of equality before the law, as only those with sufficient funds can use this procedure?
Answer
The Commission refers the Honourable Member to Article 51 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which states that its provisions are addressed to the Member States only when they are implementing Union law. On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member, it does not appear that in the matter referred to the Member State concerned did act in the course of implementation of EC law. In that matter it is thus for Member States alone to ensure that their obligations regarding fundamental rights — as resulting from international agreements and from their internal legislation — are respected.
