LONDON, July 23 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair Friday nominated former cabinet minister and close ally Peter Mandelson to become Britain's new European Commissioner, Blair's office announced.
Pro-European Mandelson, who was twice forced from the British cabinet amid accusations of improper financial dealings, has been selected to replace Britain's two outgoing EU Commissioners Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten.
Britain is to have only one Commissioner in the wake of the EU's enlargement to 25 nations.