In a scathing report detailing the findings of a five-month investigation, the ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, says the Commission had committed four acts of “maladministration” and forced Selmayr, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s chief of staff, into the EU’s most senior civil service post. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mr Selmayr was accused of leaking details of a confidential dinner meeting involving Mr Juncker and the UK prime minister

The European Parliament condemned the handling of the promotion, and there were reports that Mr Juncker had threatened to quit if the newly appointed secretary-general was forced out. In her scathing report, Emily O'Reilly pointed to several "issues of concern":

Mr Selmayr had not "recused himself" from decision-making that led to the deputy vacancy that he ultimately filled

The appointment procedure for the deputy role was carried out "to make Mr Selmayr eligible for his immediate reassignment as the new secretary-general"

The Commission reacted to valid concerns in an "evasive, defensive and legalistic manner".
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, mentions four counts of maladministration by the European Commission in the fast-track nomination of Martin Selmayr as its Secretary-General in February.