Blair may appoint Europe minister in cabinet reshuffle

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair is poised to shuffle his ministerial pack, government sources say, with speculation centring on a place at the top table for a Europe supremo.

A number of positions have been empty since former foreign secretary Robin Cook and others resigned over war in Iraq.

With the government keeping alive hopes of a referendum on Europe’s single currency next year and a fierce debate about a European Union constitution now raging, a Minister for Europe may be elevated to the full cabinet for the first time. Until now, it has been a middle-ranking Foreign Office job.