Tories accuse Straw of lining up 'President of Europe' job for Prime Minister

The Tories accused the Government yesterday of trying to line up a powerful new post for Tony Blair as "President of Europe" in the event of his departure from Downing Street.

Michael Ancram, the shadow Foreign Secretary, seized on a plan outlined by Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, for the European Union to appoint a new figurehead to represent it on the world stage.

Tory officials pointed out Mr Straw was Mr Blair's campaign manager when he stood for the Labour leadership in 1994. Mr Ancram said: "Greater love hath no foreign secretary than he proposes a retirement job for his prime minister."

He attacked Mr Straw's draft blueprint for a new EU treaty as part of a game of "grandmother's footsteps" towards a European superstate. "They are all small steps, all hoping that nobody is going to notice where we're going, but at the end of the day creating the foundations of a politically united Europe," he said.

Peter Hain, the minister for Europe, denied Mr Straw was preparing the ground for Mr Blair. "There isn't a job yet and the Prime Minister is very busy sorting out the problems of Britain and the world. Other names have been put forward and this job comes up rather too early in the political cycle, frankly."

Mr Hain insisted the aim of Mr Straw's proposals was to set out "a new contract between Europe and the people" through a simplified EU constitution.

The plan to create a President of the European Council is likely to be included in a new EU governing treaty to be agreed in 2004.

France and Spain already back the idea and Germany is prepared to add its support provided the move does not undermine the European Commission, headed by Romano Prodi, who opposes the creation of such a post.