And the money just keeps on rolling in for those who were on the EU gravy train

The Telegraph reports that:

'Lord Mandelson is still paid £8,600 a month by the EU despite leaving his Brussels post two years ago and earning hundreds of thousands in royalties from his memoir, it has emerged.

After leaving his Brussels job in Oct 2008, the Labour peer is still receiving a "transitional allowance" of £103,465 a year, which is funded by the taxpayer. The payment of £8,622 (€10,139) a month is set at 50 per cent of his former salary as European trade commissioner, a stipend paid at low rates of "community tax".

Despite being only 56 and highly employable, Lord Mandelson is entitled to claim the allowance until Oct 2011. '

I presume that this might help to explain the self-satisfied smirk often to be found playing across the lips of Peter Mandelson. For more on Peter Mandelson and his EU income have a wade through this blog!