Hoon ‘in running’ for EU commissioner role
By politics.co.uk staff
Geoff Hoon may be Peter Mandelson’s permanent replacement as Britain’s next European Union commissioner, it has been claimed.
The Observer cites senior government figures as saying that the MP from Ashfield is being lined up for the prestigious position.
A Cabinet reshuffle in October saw Mr Hoon take up the portfolio of transport secretary from Ruth Kelly while former European commissioner Peter Mandelson became business secretary.
Lady Ashton has been in Lord Mandelson’s position in Brussels since the reshuffle.
The Observer reports that the choice of Mr Hoon as European commissioner would be advantageous for the Labour party as he would probably begin his duties at the end of the year, thus ruling out a by-election for his seat as it would be too close to a general election.
The newspaper reports that former health secretary Patricia Hewitt and former Europe minister Denis MacShane were also keen to take up the position.
