Peter Mandelson will be questioned for three hours today by members of the European parliament.

Tony Blair's close aide is seeking to be confirmed in the role of European trade commissioner.

Harlem Desir, a French MEP, said: "Peter Mandelson does not speak to our concerns at all so we cannot support him. We are totally at odds over the direction of world trade at this critical juncture."

Mandelson is already under pressure to go against the wishes of the prime minister and defend the controversial common agricultural policy.