So as long as islands of excellence within national bureaucracies were able to churn out what the invigilators in Brussels wanted, the accession process trundled happily along.

ECONOMIST: A survey of EU enlargement: Trust me | The

"Whether it was one person or five people who had applied for the vacancy, the same searching and comprehensive process would have been followed to ensure that the right person is appointed to lead Durham Constabulary in its drive for excellence over the coming years, " he said.

BBC: Mike Barton set to lead Durham Police full time