Brussels is, or at least used to be, where Britain exiles its disgraced and incompetent politicians, and those deemed too great a liability to remain at home. And the same could be said of various other EU member states. There are some cases in which the old adage “Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.” does not apply.

A classic example is Peter Mandelson, who once again is abroad in the land, this time wearing a fetching ermine stole and revealing red robe. And that can only mean trouble.

Gordon Brown has made his Faustian bargain, and no doubt we will all pay the price.