Blair verwacht overeenstemming over Europese grondwet (en)

UK Premier Tony Blair has distanced himself from claims by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that "life will go on" even if negotiations on the proposed EU Constitution collapse.

Amid signs of Cabinet divisions on the draft EU Constitution, Downing Street pointedly refused to endorse Mr Straw's remarks yesterday saying that Mr Blair still believed an agreement would be reached in the next few weeks.

"We still think a deal can be done", the Prime Minister's spokesman said, quoted by the Telegraph.

Mr Straw had hinted that the UK might use its veto if Britain is forced to give up important powers over defence, foreign policy and taxation.

He also said the treaty, while desirable, was not "absolutely necessary" for the EU, which is due to admit 10 new member nations in May next year.

However, Downing Street made it clear that Mr Blair is not going into next month's Brussels summit expecting failure, the Independent said.

EU foreign ministers are meeting in Naples on Friday and Saturday to discuss the draft EU Constitution.

A UK Government source quoted by the Independent said, "We all know we have to send a shot across their bows, but Jack went nuclear. In doing so, he made us sound like the Tories [UK Conservatives]".

The UK is determined to stick by its so-called "red lines" on the Constitution.

These include demands for changes to the text on defence and foreign affairs, and to proposals that could lead to an end of the national veto in limited areas of tax, social security policy and energy policy, as well as the harmonisation of criminal procedural law.

Mr Straw's remarks were in line with recent comments from Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, who has protested against EU plans for tax harmonisation and what he has branded as the EU's "grandiose scheme" for "fiscal federalism", the Telegraph said.