EU team axed in row over commissioner

The European Union was thrown into crisis today after President Jose Manuel Barroso stood down his entire team of Commissioners.

Mr Barroso made the humiliating climbdown after the European Parliament promised to vote down the Cabinet in a row over homosexual and women's rights.

Faced with near-certain defeat at the hands of MEPs, the Commission President announced minutes before the crunch vote that he was withdrawing the 25-strong team. Addressing the Parliament in Strasbourg, he said: "I have come to the conclusion that if the vote is taken today, the outcome will not be positive for EU institutions or for the European project.

"In these circumstances, I have decided not to submit the new European Commission for your approval today." Mr Barroso said he would consult EU leaders and the European parliament before putting forward new proposals "in the next few weeks".

In a rare show of strength, the Parliament had said they would not accept the appointment of Italian Rocco Buttiglione as Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner. Mr Buttiglione has declared homosexuality is a sin and that single mothers are not good parents.

The Parliament's Labour, Green and Liberal groups said these remarks made Mr Buttiglione unsuitable for such a sensitive post and demanded his removal.

Under EU rules, if the Parliament rejects the appointment of one commissioner, all 25 Cabinet members are thrown out.

The new commissioners, including Britain's Peter Mandelson, were due to take up their posts next Monday. Now the old team of commissioners under President Romano Prodi will have to stay until a new cabinet is agreed.

The Dutch, who hold the rotating EU presidency, raised the prospect of an emergency summit tomorrow in Rome, where the heads of state are gathering to sign the new EU constitution.

The problem for Mr Barroso is that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insists that Mr Buttiglione retains the Justice and Home Affairs post and is refusing to accept a compromise.

Mr Mandelson is unlikely to lose his job if Mr Barroso is defeated. Most member states are expected to nominate the same names for the Commission and there is little chance Tony Blair would look for another candidate.

However, Mr Mandelson has infuriated EU socialist colleagues by backing Mr Buttiglione's nomination. He reportedly accused MEPs trying to block the appointment of "infantile, destructive and tribal" behaviour.

The leader of the Party of European Socialists, Paul-Nyrup Rasmussen, said: "Mr Barroso's reaction is a first step in recognising this Parliament is no longer a rubber stamp and has to be taken seriously. My advice to Mr Barroso is to listen carefully to what is said by MEPs and come back with a constructive attitude."