The Foreign Secretary has admitted that the public row about the appointment of the new European President is concerning.

European leaders are meant to be in Brussels to thrash out an agreement on the EU constitution, however attention has been distracted by the row over Romano Prodi’s successor.

The UK delegation is reputed to be furious at French and German attempts to link the choice of candidate in with the UK’s position on the European Constitution.

Jack Straw told the BBC: “I am worried, of course, because it would be far better if there could or could have been a consensus in respect of the president of the commission.

“I am also concerned that this is not obviously a particularly edifying spectacle all the way across Europe.”

France and the UK have both accused each other of trying to slow down the progress of the summit, with Mr Chirac quoted as saying he is unhappy with the direction of the summit’s progress.

France and Germany have been backing the current Belgian Prime Minister for the presidency, but Britain is concerned that Guy Verhofstadt is too federalist in outlook.

In retaliation, Mr Chirac blocked the candidacy of Chris Patten saying he believes the president should not be from “a country which doesn’t take part in all European policies”.

Mr Straw admitted earlier today that the former Tory minister is his preferred candidate, saying: “I have got huge admiration for Chris. I have always held back from expressing that because I didn’t think it would do his candidacy very much good.”

It now appears unlikely that either of the men will become president, with the introduction of a compromise candidate looking more and more likely.