Patten enters race for EC job

Chris Patten suddenly emerged today as a serious contender for president of the European Commission during a day of frantic wrangling at the EU summit.

His name was backed at the 11th hour by up to 10 countries, including Italy and its premier Silvio Berlusconi, to become the new head of the Brussels-based body.

The development came after Tony Blair infuriated the Germans by torpedoing the favourite candidate-arch-federalist Guy Verhofstadt-With Gerhard Schr?der angrily vowing to use a dinner of the 25 leaders tonight to press Mr Verhofstadt's case, other leaders began to swing behind Mr Patten.

The former Conservative cabinet minister and Hong Kong governor had been seen as a rank outsider until this afternoon - opposed by Jacques Chirac because he does not speak French. Mr Blair was expected to give Britain's backing if enough countries joined in.

But there were concerns that Germany would oppose his name in retaliation for Britain rejecting their choice.

"We will actively stand up for Mr Verhofstadt," said a furious German official.

The clash came hours after Mr Blair appeared to be winning concessions on the EU constitution over tax and legal changes that could strengthen militant unions.

There were even suggestions that British diplomats were pushing for more - including a full declaration that tax would stay off the EU agenda in future.

In a separate breakthrough, Poland signalled it may back down in a row over voting rights after being offered an increase in the voting power for smaller countries.

Polish prime minister Marek Belka said: "It's a move in the right direction."

On other fronts, summit talks appeared to be going Mr Blair's

way. A new treaty draft left out scrapping the veto on tax fraud laws.