Brown raises possibility of EU referendum

Gordon Brown has not ruled out holding a referendum on the revised EU treaty.

Days after Number Ten claimed a vote would not be necessary, the Europe minister Geoff Hoon indicated the next prime minister would not rule out a referendum.

He told the BBC a judgement is yet to be made on the final package. Mr Hoon said: "Clearly a judgement has got to be made in terms of what is in the final package."

EU leaders will meet in a summit in Brussels this week and attempt to agree a treaty for the enlarged EU. Margaret Beckett admitted this weekend significant differences remain between the leaders.

German chancellor Angela Merkell is pushing for a deal that preserves much of the original draft constitution but the UK has said it will not accept "cosmetic changes" if the characteristics of a constitution remain.

Downing Street last week claimed the finished treaty would be an amending non-constitutional document, making a referendum unnecessary.

The Conservatives criticised Tony Blair's reluctance to hold a referendum and welcomed the news Mr Brown could put the proposals to a public vote.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "If this is a U-turn by ministers it will be a very welcome one. Labour promised a referendum on the EU constitution and it would be utterly unacceptable for them to break their word."

It is thought any UK referendum on the EU treaty would result in a 'no' vote, once again stalling plans.

EU leaders have agreed the need for a treaty since the EU expanded to 27 members but are divided over its form.

The German chancellor wants the EU to have a single legal personality and a charter of fundamental rights. Britain, however, is reluctant to extend continental labour rights to the UK and wants to retain an independent foreign policy.