EU’s executive branch denies cover-up over the health of its president

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (Omar Havana/AP)

The European Commission has denied that it had tried to cover up the state of health of its president, Ursula von der Leyen, after the head of the EU’s executive branch was admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia.

Ms Von der Leyen, 66, is the EU’s most high-profile political figure.