THE European Anti-Fraud Office has opened an investigation into a senior commission official accused of passing on secret commercial information in return for a promise of money when he retired.

European and Chinese negotiators are expected to meet for a fourth day tomorrow to try to produce a new agreement in the so-called “bra wars” dispute on textile quotas.

European and Chinese negotiators held a second day of talks today aimed at producing a new agreement on textile quotas to replace a deal that has left tons of Chinese-made garments stranded at European ports.