David Charter
David Charter became Europe correspondent of The Times in September 2006 after four years as chief political correspondent. He worked on UK regional newspapers and The Times Higher Education Supplement before joining The Times in 1995.
Foreign Service test
One of the first – and biggest – challenges facing Catherine Ashton will be to turn the European External Action Service from concept to reality, as David Charter reports
Liberty injustice?
With the Swedish presidency aiming to agree a new five-year work plan for justice and home affairs, David Charter asks whether the EU is striking the right balance between freedom and security
What the papers don’t say
The media in three EU member states is only partly free, according to a new report. It is a problem Brussels appears unable – or unwilling – to address, as David Charter writes
Awaiting their verdict
Will the economic crisis lead to a surge in support for extremists – or will wary voters stick with what they know? David Charter maps the political landscape ahead of this June’s European elections
Freedom insecurity
As the European Commission prepares another package of anti-terror measures, there is growing concern that civil liberties are being sacrificed unnecessarily in the name of security. David Charter reports
A new legal environment
The European Commission wants common sanctions for serious eco-crimes. But many countries fiercely oppose the EU extending its reach into the area of criminal law, writes David Charter
Unity, diversity… probity?
Levels of corruption vary widely across the Union. David Charter writes that while some candidates have cleaned up their acts, the EU has few powers to discourage graft once countries are members
