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.

"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.

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.

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