Gruszka to head Orlen committee, but spooks probing members causes delays

Józef Gruszka, a Polish Peasants Party (PSL) deputy, has been chosen to head the Sejm committee to investigate irregularities at oil concern PKN Orlen, the country's largest firm. At the very last minute, the opposition tried to secure the job for Law and Justice (PiS) deputy Zbigniew Wassermann, but in the end the bid was scuppered when it failed to gain the support of the Polish Family League (LPR). Roman Giertych, the head of LPR, voted with the left and in so doing deprived the opposition of a chance to control the committee. Although the names of 11 committee members have already been announced, the committee cannot start investigations yet as six of the 11 deputies in question have not been vetted by the security services and therefore have not been cleared for access to highly sensitive information. While the Internal Security Agency has already started vetting procedures, it will probably take several weeks before all the necessary checks have been made.