This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8345199.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
French minister bids to calm row French minister bids to calm row
(31 minutes later)
French minister Pierre Lellouche has said he is not worried about the Tories' new European policy and would be able to work with David Cameron.French minister Pierre Lellouche has said he is not worried about the Tories' new European policy and would be able to work with David Cameron.
Mr Lellouche had appeared to be highly critical of the Tories' pledge to take some powers back from Brussels, claiming the stance was "pathetic".Mr Lellouche had appeared to be highly critical of the Tories' pledge to take some powers back from Brussels, claiming the stance was "pathetic".
But he told the BBC he considered shadow foreign secretary William Hague a "friend" and would work with him.But he told the BBC he considered shadow foreign secretary William Hague a "friend" and would work with him.
He said he was prepared to "live with" whatever policy the UK had on Europe.He said he was prepared to "live with" whatever policy the UK had on Europe.
'Saddened''Saddened'
Mr Lellouche, Minister for Europe under President Sarkozy, raised eyebrows when he told a British newspaper that the Conservatives risked "castrating" themselves in Europe by pursuing their current policy.Mr Lellouche, Minister for Europe under President Sarkozy, raised eyebrows when he told a British newspaper that the Conservatives risked "castrating" themselves in Europe by pursuing their current policy.
In the aftermath of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, Conservative leader David Cameron has pledged to give the British people a vote on future treaties transferring any further powers to Brussels. In the aftermath of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the Conservatives' decision to drop their referendum pledge, leader David Cameron has vowed to give the British people a vote on future treaties transferring any further powers to Brussels.
He also said he would seek to renegotiate existing laws to regain national supremacy over some social, employment and criminal justice powers. He also said he would seek to renegotiate existing laws to regain national supremacy over some social, employment and criminal justice powers - which would require the approval of all 27 EU members.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Lellouche said he was "saddened" by the tone of "Euro-hostility" in the Conservative discussions over Europe.Speaking to the BBC, Mr Lellouche said he was "saddened" by the tone of "Euro-hostility" in the Conservative discussions over Europe.
He said that the Tories did not appear to want to "listen" to France and other EU members over the future direction of Europe.He said that the Tories did not appear to want to "listen" to France and other EU members over the future direction of Europe.
However, he toned down his early criticism, saying that he had not intended to use the words "pathetic" or "castrated", and that he thought he had speaking off-the-record and had not expected his comments to be reported in The Guardian newspaper. However, he toned down his early criticism, saying his use of the words "pathetique" - which can mean sad or unfortunate in French - had been misunderstood.
He said France would be prepared to talk to and work with a Conservative government should it win power. He also said he did not realise the word "autistic" - which he used to describe the Tory policy - could seen as offensive in English and he retracted the remark.
No-one is going to steal the sovereignty of the UK without the approval of the British people Pierre Lellouche, French minister for Europe
He made clear he thought he had been speaking off-the-record and had not expected his comments to be reported in The Guardian newspaper.
Mr Lellouche, who describes himself as "one of the most Anglophile politicians in France", said he would be prepared to talk to and work with a Conservative government should it win power.
He said he was "convinced" that the UK would "eventually" get back to playing a "full role" in Europe under the Tories "despite this rhetoric" - which he attributed to the Conservatives' long-spell in opposition.He said he was "convinced" that the UK would "eventually" get back to playing a "full role" in Europe under the Tories "despite this rhetoric" - which he attributed to the Conservatives' long-spell in opposition.
"Europe needs the UK and you need Europe," he said, adding: "It is important"."Europe needs the UK and you need Europe," he said, adding: "It is important".
He added: "No-one is going to steal the sovereignty of the UK without the approval of the British people."He added: "No-one is going to steal the sovereignty of the UK without the approval of the British people."
The Conservatives had shrugged off Mr Lellouche's comments as an "emotional outburst" and said they did not reflect attitudes higher up the French government or in other European capitals.
Internal row
The Tories' decision to abandon hopes of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty has caused internal ructions, with two Tory Euro MPs quitting their frontbench posts in protest.
Daniel Hannan MEP said he had stepped down as Conservative legal affairs spokesman in the European Parliament, to concentrate on campaigning for a referendum on Europe.
He wrote in his Daily Telegraph blog that he had returned to the backbenches to build a movement that would "push for referendums, citizens' initiatives and the rest of the paraphernalia of direct democracy".
Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has resigned as the party's employment spokesman in Brussels, telling the ConservativeHome blog: "I can neither justify nor support our new EU policy."
Mr Hague dismissed the resignations, saying support among Tory MPs and Euro MPs for the new policy was "near unanimous".
But MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who was expelled from the Conservatives for opposing their new alliance in the European Parliament, said Mr Helmer and Mr Hannan should be disciplined.
'Unseemly'
Labour said the Tories' policy was widely regarded across Europe as "inept and wrong-headed".
"This is not about David Cameron taking back power from Europe," said Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
"It is about transferring power to the Eurosceptics on his own backbenches. He knows that he cannot get the opt-out he proposes. That is why he is already planning a wider referendum on Europe if he wins the election."
The Lib Dems said the "unseemly row" was a sign of things to come if the Conservatives win the next election.
"This is the kind of petty squabbling we can expect day after day if the Tories get into power," said Ed Davey, its foreign affairs spokesman.
"The French minister's comments illustrate the frustration and dismay felt in European capitals over the Tories' new policy on Europe."