Barroso criticises European Commission for probe into Goldman Sachs appointment

Former European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has hit out at the decision to bring an investigation against him following his appointment to a senior position at US investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Barroso was appointed as a non-executive adviser to the firm in order to provide it with expertise on how to weather the storm created by Brexit.

In a letter written by the former Prime Minister of Portugal to his successor Jean-Claude Juncker, Barroso said that the probe is "discriminatory" and "inconsistent".

"These claims are baseless and wholly unmerited. They are discriminatory against me and against Goldman Sachs," the letter seen by the Financial Times read.

"While, in principle, I have no objection to the reference to the committee, I would have concerns if a decision about my status has already been made. If that is the case, I would like to understand how this decision has been taken, by whom and on what grounds."

The appointment of Barroso faced scrutiny in Brussels as the organisers of a petition against the action say that he should be stripped of his €15,000 per month pension.

Barroso's letter added that he had "never sought a privileged position" but felt that he was being discriminated against.

Rules of the European Union stipulate that an 18-month cooling off period should be applied to commissioners before they take up further roles. The former head of the Commission took the job with Goldman 20 months after he left the executive branch.