Prior to the mass resignation, Sir Leon had resolved to leave Brussels when the Santer commission was due to end its term in December.

BBC: News | UK Politics | Sir Leon: Britain's old hand in Brussels

He refused to be drawn into questions about his resignation if no weapons of mass destruction are found - probably his most uncomfortable moment.

BBC: Blair ducks the hard questions

His mass belied the discord that has come to the fore in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.

WSJ: Black Smoke Signals No New Pope