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A top Euro politician was left steaming after thieves stole a PIE from her car while she was in London - but they left behind her official papers.

Viviane Reding, vice-president of the European Commission, had travelled to the capital tonight for a public debate on Europe.

But when she emerged from the meeting in central London she discovered peckish thieves had broken into her official car and stolen her luggage - including a cottage pie she had bought from a London farmers' market.

Mrs Reding, 62, said of the pie: “I got it to show people how good British cooking is. I just hope that at least they eat it and don’t throw it away.”

The thieves also stole suitcases containing clothes and jewellery - but left behind a bag containing Mrs Reding’s official papers.

Mrs Reding, who comes from Luxembourg, said: “It is the first time I have had my bag stolen and I travel all around the world.

“They left my papers fortunately. It is a real pain in the neck. It will be really difficult to replace the clothes, jewellery and make-up.

“My earrings have been on pictures worldwide. They might not be valuable but they are original and recognisable.”

Mrs Reding had visited London to debate the EU with Europe Minister David Lidington at the Royal Institution in Mayfair.