Sarkozy and Mandelson 'strike a deal to get top EU job for Blair'

Nicolas Sarkozy is backing Tony Blair's campaign to become the first President of Europe in return for the way Peter Mandelson secretly helped him win the French Presidency, it was claimed last night.

The suggestion of a secret EU Presidency deal between the three men will enrage Gordon Brown, who has always blamed Mr Mandelson for the way Mr Blair pipped him to the post of Labour leader in 1994.

A senior member of Mr Sarkozy's inner circle claims the French President regards his support for Mr Blair's bid to become Europe's first fully fledged political leader as a "quid pro quo" for EU Commissioner Mr Mandelson's help in winning last year's election.

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Eyes on the prize: Tony Blair is being backed for the EU Presidency by Sarkozy, it is claimed

"Discussions were arranged between Mandelson and Sarkozy after Sarkozy asked to be put in touch with him," said Mr Sarkozy's confidant.

"Sarkozy wanted to copy what Blair had done in Britain and believed that taking advice from Peter was the best way to do it.

"In return, Sarkozy wants to help Blair become EU President. From Sarkozy's point of view it is part of the deal."

The disclosure comes three weeks before Mr Sarkozy's state visit to Britain with his new wife, Italian model Carla Bruni, and is likely to spark controversy on both sides of the Channel.

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Enemies: Brown has 'never forgiven' Mandelson for switching sides to Blair, one of the PM's allies said today

Mr Sarkozy's Blairite style brought him to power on a tidal wave of popularity - but since then his ratings have plummeted as a result of his tangled love life.

And his political opponents have stepped up their attacks on him for backing Mr Blair as EU President.

The Sarkozy camp's claim that it is part of a secret deal involving Mr Mandelson caused an angry response from Mr Brown's allies last night.

"Peter Mandelson should learn to stop meddling in British politics," said one.

"Gordon has never forgiven him for switching sides to Blair when John Smith died.

"If some kind of deal has been stitched up between Mandelson, Sarkozy and Blair, the British public has a right to know about it."

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Unpopular: Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency has run into deep trouble, not least because of his very public marriage to model Carla Bruni

Relations between Mr Mandelson and Mr Brown are so bad that Mr Mandelson will not be seeking the usual second term as an EU Commissioner, denying Mr Brown the satisfaction of using his power to dismiss him.

Mr Mandelson's hallmarks were clearly visible in Mr Sarkozy's successful election campaign, including New Labour-style glitzy public relations stunts, pledges on law and order, welfare, community relations and offering jobs to traditional political opponents.

A spokesman at the French President's Elysée Palace would not discuss Mr Sarkozy's dealings with Peter Mandelson, commenting: "We would not comment on such strategic matters, or on private meetings between individuals."

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