The promotion of Martin Selmayr to European Commission (EC) secretary-general last year was a case of "maladministration"– the European Ombudsman confirmed on Monday, upholding its earlier verdict. The ombudsman called it "highly regrettable" that the EC did not amend the appointment procedure despite its recommendations. The EC’s reply to the Ombudsman’s recommendation presents no new information and does not alter the inquiry findings, which showed in detail how Mr Selmayr’s appointment neither followed EU law, in letter or spirit, nor the EC's own rules.