Volkswagen suspends chief lobbyist over diesel fume tests

The German carmaker said it has accepted the proposal by Steg to assume full responsibility for experiments conducted on monkeys and humans

business Updated: Jan 30, 2018 18:13 IST

Reuters
Reuters, Berlin

(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 15, 2017 the Volkswagen logo is seen on a car in Beijing on September 15, 2017. The German government on January 29, 2018 strongly condemned revelations that three carmakers had tested the effects of diesel fumes on monkeys and humans, adding that it had asked BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler to explain themselves. / AFP PHOTO / Fred DUFOUR(AFP)

Volkswagen said on Tuesday it has suspended its chief lobbyist Thomas Steg amid steps to clear up the circumstances of diesel fume tests conducted with monkeys and humans that were sponsored by the carmaker.

The German carmaker said it has accepted the proposal by Steg to assume full responsibility for the experiments that were revealed by the New York Times last week and have since been condemned by politicians and animal rights activists.

Jens Hanefeld, responsible for international and European political issues at VW, will replace Steg on an acting basis, VW said.

First Published: Jan 30, 2018 18:13 IST