Viviane Reding, the European Union’s crusading telecoms commissioner, could be thwarted in her ambition to gain a further term overseeing telecoms, after a member of José Manuel Barroso’s inner circle raised doubts about her bid to retain her role past November.

A senior aide to Mr Barroso, European Commission president, who advises him on telecoms issues, told a gathering of industry executives and lobbyists: “I would be surprised if Viviane Reding keeps the telecoms portfolio, and she knows this,” according to several participants.