It's being reported today that Apple has turned down an invitation to an EU lawmakers' hearing, saying it does not want to prejudice its challenge to an EU order to pay up to 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.

A European Parliament committee is holding the hearing on tax evasion on June 21.





In a letter to the committee released by Greens lawmaker Sven Giegold on Twitter on Friday, Apple said it was waiting for Europe's second-highest court to rule on its appeal.

Claire Thwaites, Apple's senior director of European government affairs, wrote in the letter to the committee that "It is important to ensure public commentary does not prejudice those proceedings. Since the appeal is ongoing and likely to be heard at the General Court in the near future we will not be able to participate in a public hearing on this topic as it could be detrimental to the proceedings at the Court and any potential appeals thereafter."

In retaliation, Greens lawmaker Sven Giegold Parliament should withdraw Apple's lobby badges to the institution because of its refusal.

Source: Reuters

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.