John Dalli seeking €1.9 million in damages

Former EU health commissioner John Dalli is seeking €1.9 million in "material damage" from the European Commission, the EU Observor reports.

Dalli, who resigned his post in 2012, was previously asking the commission to pay a symbolic €1 in damages for the “non financial” harm he has suffered, and compensation for his loss of earnings as a commissioner.

He was forced to resign by Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, after an associate was accused of asking for €60 million from Swedish Match in return for Dalli's help in changing European tobacco regulations.

Dalli denies any knowledge of the alleged bribery and this week he accused Barroso of taking a decision based on fraud.