EU Trade Commissioner Resigns Over Large Golf Dinner

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has resigned after attending a golf dinner in Ireland with more than 80 guests.

The Irish government says the dinner, which was held in County Galway on 19 August, breached Covid-19 guidelines. Hogan was also criticised for not following quarantine rules when he arrived in Ireland from Brussels.

While Hogan denies breaking the law, he says he "should have been more rigorous" in adhering to the guidelines.

In a statement, he says he regrets that his trip to Ireland "caused such concern, unease and upset", adding: "I reiterate my heartfelt apology to the Irish people for the mistakes I made during my visit."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she is "very grateful" to Hogan for his "tireless and successful work", and that she will now ask the Irish government to propose two candidates for his replacement.