The case concerned three requests for public access to documents, which the European Commission had refused to disclose, relating to the expenses incurred by Commissioners who went on business trips.

In the course of the Ombudsman’s inquiry, the Commission gave the complainant almost unrestricted access to the documents detailing the expenses of each trip. The Ombudsman therefore closed the inquiry as settled. She noted, however, the delay by the Commission in replying to the requests, and committed to monitor whether this issue persists in how the Commission deals with requests for public access to documents.