Herman Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton of Upholland given Europe's grandest jobs

Philip Webster and David Charter in Brussels

A Belgian federalist and a former chairman of Hertfordshire Health Authority were ushered into Europe’s two grandest jobs tonight as it stumbled in its much-hailed attempt to walk on to the world stage.

The European Union’s 27 leaders balked at the chance of having Tony Blair as their first permanent president, preferring not to be overshadowed. In a classic stitch-up between the two big blocs of the EU, the Centre Right fell in behind Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium’s Prime Minister, to take that job.

The centre-left Socialist leaders supported Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Britain’s current trade commissioner, to be the first high representative for foreign and security policy, as well as becoming the Brussels commission’s vice-president for external affairs.

The deal went through swiftly at a dinner of EU heads and the expected marathon session never materialised. The deadlock was broken when Gordon Brown abandoned his support for Mr Blair at a meeting of Socialist leaders before the summit.

Lady Ashton was so unprepared for her “promotion” that she had no speech prepared when she held a joint press conference with Mr Van Rompuy. She drew laughter when she made clear she had no clue what was in store. Lady Ashton had to be called on the phone to see if she would accept the job once Mr Brown switched his allegiance to the only other Briton with a chance of capturing one of the prized jobs.

She has been a commissioner for 13 months, having taken over from Lord Mandelson when he was brought back to the Cabinet. She had been leader of the House of Lords but has no experience as a foreign minister.

Mr Brown heralded her appointment as showing that Britain was “at the heart of the future of Europe”.

The Prime Minister, facing hostile questions from journalists suggesting that no one had heard of either of Lady Ashton or Mr van Rompuy, said that Lady Ashton was a highly experienced politician who had been an effective trade commissioner for Britain and Europe. She was the first first woman to hold such a high position in the EU, showing that Britain was leading the way in extending women's representation.

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