Europe press pack bays at EU in vain

David Rennie, the Europe correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, offers an illuminating blog on the behaviour of his fellow reporters in Brussels. He notes how they "batter and batter away" at the European Commission spokesmen about a news event "wholly outside the Commission's sphere of influence". They were following up the New York Times story about US agents having secret access to money transfers through the Swift facilty (see 'New York Times accused' below). Rennie notes: "Swift may be physically based in Brussels, but it has nothing to do with the European Union", adding: "Before I make too many enemies, I should say that the Brussels press corps is made up of hard-working, clever people in the main. I just never cease to marvel at the persistence with which some of them expect EU institutions to solve all the world's problems". (Via Telegraph Blogs)