LONDON, May 12: Britain's labour government is to choose the former governor of Hong Kong, pro-European Conservative Chris Patten, as a European Commissioner to replace Sir Leon Brittan, The Financial Times said on Wednesday.Citing ministerial sources, the paper said the decision could be seen both as a snub to Conservative leader William Hague, as it would go against his nominated choice, but also a boon, as it would remove any threat of Patten attempting to replace Hague as Tory leader.The FT said Prime Minister Tony Blair had come under pressure from colleagues in his office and in the foreign office to appoint Patten.Romano Prodi, president-elect of the European Commission, had also made clear that he preferred Patten, said the paper.A friend of Patten was quoted as saying the former governor would hope to get one of the main economic jobs, covering competition, trade, the single market or the budget."The idea is that he would pursue either the Prime Minister's economic reform agenda or help with the modernisation of the Commission," the friend said.The other British commissioner would be former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who already holds the transport portfolio, said the FT. The paper added that Kinnock was hoping to become Commission vice-President.
