Belgian police gave von der Leyen no warning about Reynders probe

BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had no prior knowledge of a Belgian police investigation into her former justice commissioner, according to a letter seen by POLITICO.

“The Commission, including its President, have been made aware of the allegations against Mr Reynders by the press. So far, the Commission has not been contacted by the Belgian authorities on this matter,” said Commission Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone in a letter sent to MEP Daniel Freund on Monday.

Reports that Belgian police last week searched properties belonging to Didier Reynders, whose term in the EU executive ended a few days before, rocked the Commission. Reynders was questioned as part of a money laundering probe.

Freund, a German Green politician, wrote to the Commission last week asking for them to clarify whether the police investigation into Reynders touched on any of his official duties as Commissioner.

Juhansone said they did not because money laundering and financial crime fell under the Commission’s finance directorate, not the justice section until recently run by Reynders.

“Obviously, the Commission stands ready to cooperate in case the Belgian authorities would ask,” Juhansone added.

Von der Leyen learned about the suspicions only after reporters from Le Soir and Follow the Money reported the raids.

The Commission had not opened its own inquiry into the matter, Juhansone said. “As none of the allegations made concern the misuse of the EU budget or the management of EU funds, no specific investigation has been launched by the Commission at this stage.”