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Blair 'is EU president candidate' | Blair 'is EU president candidate' |
(20 minutes later) | |
Ex-prime minister Tony Blair is the UK candidate for president of the European Council, Europe Minister Baroness Kinnock has apparently confirmed. | Ex-prime minister Tony Blair is the UK candidate for president of the European Council, Europe Minister Baroness Kinnock has apparently confirmed. |
At a briefing for journalists in Strasbourg, Lady Kinnock said the UK was supporting Mr Blair for one of the most powerful posts in the EU. | At a briefing for journalists in Strasbourg, Lady Kinnock said the UK was supporting Mr Blair for one of the most powerful posts in the EU. |
Asked if this had been discussed with Mr Blair, she said the government "would not do that without asking him". | Asked if this had been discussed with Mr Blair, she said the government "would not do that without asking him". |
The post depends on Irish backing of the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum. | The post depends on Irish backing of the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum. |
But this is the first time a UK government minister has publicly announced Tony Blair is a candidate for the job. | But this is the first time a UK government minister has publicly announced Tony Blair is a candidate for the job. |
Previously, ministers have said that as there was at present no job, any talk of supporting a specific candidate was premature. | Previously, ministers have said that as there was at present no job, any talk of supporting a specific candidate was premature. |
Lady Kinnock went on to say Mr Blair had the "strength of character" and "status" to take on the job. | Lady Kinnock went on to say Mr Blair had the "strength of character" and "status" to take on the job. |
She added: "People know who he is, and he could step into this new role with a lot of respect and he would be generally welcomed." | She added: "People know who he is, and he could step into this new role with a lot of respect and he would be generally welcomed." |
Later, an official emphasised that the Irish Republic had yet to hold its referendum on the Treaty. | |
But the official added that if and when the treaty came into force and Mr Blair decided to run as a candidate, he would have government support. |