MIDDAY BRIEF, IN BRIEF

Today at Commission, Brexit and online abuse

Threats made to Brussels-based Polish reporter are ‘unacceptable,’ says chief spokesman.

With Brexit talks about to start in Brussels, there were plenty of questions at the Commission’s midday press conference — but not many answers.

Chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas said he wouldn’t divulge if the U.K. had sent any documents or memos ahead of time on one of the most controversial issues in the talks; the exit bill.

Schinas said he will not answer Brexit talks questions until they end on Thursday as negotiators need to work “in all serenity.”

After the meeting, a Commission official said they were “unaware” if the Brits has sent any documents on the exit bill ahead of the meeting.

The Commission had also nothing to say when asked if it would be possible for the Italian government to issue temporary visas to migrants and refugees arriving on its shores. Rome did something similar in 2011 during the Arab Spring.

Schinas did confirm that EU countries facing legal action for failing to relocate refugees — Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic — did send a letter explaining their decisions to the Commission before a deadline set by Brussels.

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Last but not least, Schinas said the College of Commissioners will on Wednesday discuss events in Poland, where the government is pushing to reform its judiciary system — a move causing “great concern” in Brussels.

Schinas said the Commission has “a particular duty of care” for Brussels-based reporters covering the EU after Dorota Bawolek from the TV station Polsat faced online abuse for her reporting on the judiciary reforms.

The comments she received were “unacceptable,” said Schinas.