A virtually unknown Labour crony was last night installed as Europe's first 'foreign secretary'.
In a move derided as an EU stitch-up, Baroness Ashton was Britain's 'consolation prize' after Tony Blair's dream of the presidency was crushed.
The similarly low-profile Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy - who favours the introduction of EU-wide taxes and the abolition of national flags and anthems - was named president.
He had been hot favourite to win the job as Mr Blair's bid crumbled in recent days.