‘Blair for president’ gaffe
BARONESS Kinnock yesterday let slip the secret plot to install Tony Blair as the European Union’s first president.
She gaffed by saying the Government fully backed his “candidature”.
Government spokesmen scrambled to maintain the official line, which is that no candidacy exists because the Lisbon Treaty which creates the post has yet to be approved by all 27 EU states. Former Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock – wife of ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock – was last month made Europe Minister with a seat in the Lords. She told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg: “The UK Government is supporting Tony Blair’s candidature for President of the Council.”
Four countries have yet to approve the treaty, including Ireland, which holds a second referendum in October.