EU row erupts over choice of Mandelson's replacement

MEPs are set to subject Peter Mandelson’s successor as European trade commissioner to a "serious" grilling.

UK premier Gordon Brown’s decision to appoint Catherine Ashton - a little-known Labour peer – to the top post has surprised some, including many MEPs.

She is expected to appear before members of the international trade committee on either 10 or 11 November and possibly other committees at a later date.

But several MEPs say they have “serious concerns” about the nomination, including Syed Kamall, a British Tory member of the trade committee, who said, “I and others question her experience and ability to represent member states in important trade negotiations.”

He added, “It isn’t just me saying this, there is concern right across parliament. Most commissioners come with a track record in domestic politics but people are saying they know nothing about her.

“The EU faces tough negotiations over the Doha trade round and free trade agreements with Korea and needs someone in post who is going to command respect.”

His comments were echoed by another British MEP Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, who said he will attempt to veto her nomination.

“I have been looking at her background. She has no experience whatsoever and is totally unsuitable for this job.

“The EU does not need a novice, particularly at such a time as this. There will definitely be a debate over this.

“It's not impossible that we will end up with a commissioner from another country being given the brief, with Baroness Ashton demoted to a lesser role”.

UK Tory MEP Giles Chichester said, “I know nothing about her whatsoever.”

Further reaction came from Robert Sturdy, EPP coordinator on the trade committee, who met Ashton in Brussels on Monday – her first day in her new job.

She also met Erika Mann, German Socialist coordinator on the committee, and PES leader Martin Schulz.

Sturdy said, “She admitted to me that she was new to the job but put forward some interesting ideas. I would rather reserve judgement until she has got to know here brief a bit more.

“Any final decision on her ability and possible acceptance, or non-acceptance by parliament, will have to wait until she has appeared before our committee.

“But I must admit she is new to me and I was rather shocked by her nomination. I thought [Gordon] Brown might have chosen someone with more experience in the trade field. I often disagreed with Mandelson but certainly fully respected his knowledge of trade issues.”

“I will be looking to her to display qualities of leadership, knowledge and toughness in the hearing.”

A parliamentary source said that, after the confirmation hearing next month, the group coordinators on the committee will made a recommendation to the conference of presidents, or group leaders, on whether to endorse her nomination or not.

Their recommendation will then go to the plenary in Strasbourg in November for a final decision.

The source said that if her nomination is rejected, Gordon Brown would have to nominate someone else or the whole commission would fall.

Brown had been widely expected to choose seasoned cabinet minister and former MEP Geoff Hoon for the Brussels job.

But it is understood that he picked Ashton – who has been a cabinet minister for just 16 months – because appointing Hoon would have triggered a by-election in his Nottinghamshire constituency of Ashfield, which Labour would almost certainly have lost.

A No 10 spokesman said, "Baroness Ashton has had a very distinguished career. She has been an economist and has served in government with distinction."

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