Laszlo Andor, the EU Commissioner is taking the UK to the European Court

Laszlo Andor, one of Europe’s most powerful technocrats, is a committed socialist determined to drag the UK through the courts over welfare laws.

Mr Andor, 47, holds one of the most powerful positions in the European Union as Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, a job that provides a £212,000 salary and generous benefits. His role gives him political, legal and bureaucratic muscle — and Mr Andor, probably the most Left-wing of the EU’s 28 commissioners, is not averse to using it.

Now he is taking on the British Government over attempts to curb welfare payments to EU migrants. His report into benefits tourism, which we disclose today, effectively concluding that the practice was a myth, can be seen as part of the battle. But it is his decision to take action at the European Court against the UK which opens him up to accusations of “throwing a hand grenade” into an already incendiary debate about Britain’s continued membership of the EU.