New EU president will 'knock heads together'

Former MEP Richard Corbett says Herman Van Rompuy will "knock heads together" in his role as EU president.

Speaking to TheParliament.com, Corbett said the former Belgian prime minister is an "impressive man" with "special skills".

Corbett lost out to Andrew Brons, of the British National Party, in last June's European elections and is now working as a political advisor to Van Rompuy, with whom he has shared annual skiing holidays in France for many years.

Van Rompuy, whose elevation to the top job in the EU shocked many, is yet to stamp his authority on the world political stage.

But Corbett, a former Socialist MEP said, "I have seen evidence of his special skill which is to knock heads together."

An early test of Van Rompuy, who has put together a 10-strong cabinet, will be the specially-convened mini-summit on 11 February which will focus on economic issues.

Corbett is in little doubt as to his abilities, adding, "He is a very impressive man, educated and cultivated."

Meanwhile, Corbett, who was an MEP for 13 years, has not ruled out standing as a candidate in the next UK general election, expected in May.

He said, "I never say never."

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