A top Euro politician was left steaming after thieves stole a cottage 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 traveled to London for a public debate on Europe.

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

Mrs Reding, 62, said: "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."