By SIMON WALTERS Peter Mandelson went behind Gordon Brown’s back in a last-ditch attempt to snatch the job of EU foreign envoy and abandon the Cabinet, it was claimed last night. Diplomatic sources said Lord Mandelson made frantic phone calls to prominent EU figures to try to persuade them to make him the EU High Representative responsible for foreign policy instead of fellow Labour politician Baroness Ashton. And when his bid failed he urged the Prime Minister to sack Foreign Secretary David Miliband and give him his job. Allegations: Lord Mandelson is said to have made calls to EU figures to persuade them to make him EU High Representative, behind Gordon Brown's back The allegations shocked Labour Ministers, who had been told that Lord Mandelson had supported Baroness Ashton after his own candidacy - together with that of Mr Miliband and former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon - had been ruled out. However, reliable sources say that Lord Mandelson made an astonishing second attempt to grab the job in the days leading up to last week’s EU summit. The sources said Business Secretary Lord Mandelson did so without informing the Prime Minister. His audacious ploy ended in failure when EU leaders insisted that the foreign slot must go to a Centre-Left candidate, ruling out Labour Right-winger Lord Mandelson but ruling in former CND treasurer Baroness Ashton. Mandelson allegedly asked to be given David Miliband's job as Foreigbn Secretary Instead of accepting defeat, Lord Mandelson asked Mr Brown to give him Mr Miliband’s job. Labour sources said Mr Brown had initially promised Lord Mandelson that if Mr Miliband became EU foreign envoy, Lord Mandelson would succeed him at the UK Foreign Office. Even though Mr Miliband did not get the post, Lord Mandelson told Mr Brown to make the change in a Cabinet reshuffle. Downing Street last night rejected the claims as nonsense. But the fallout over the EU foreign affairs portfolio intensified last night as Government insiders said Baroness Ashton has the confidence of neither the Prime Minister nor Lord Mandelson. Little-known Baroness Ashton, 53, who received her peerage from Tony Blair, was effectively forced on Britain in the new role by France and Germany, who believe she can be controlled by them. Labour insiders say that Mr Brown has dismissed her as a ‘lightweight’ and that Lord Mandelson regards her with ‘barely concealed contempt’. Lord Mandelson is said to believe Baroness Ashton did not live up to his standard when she succeeded him as EU Trade Commissioner. And the peer is understood to be furious with Mr Brown for falling victim to a Franco-German ambush over her role. Make me Foreign Secretary': Mandy 'urged Brown to give him Miliband's job' after failed bid to become EU foreign envoy
Last updated at 11:22 AM on 22nd November 2009
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