British Conservatives dismiss French attack on Europe policy

Nov 5, 2009, 10:10 GMT

London - Britain's opposition Conservatives were Thursday the subject of a stinging attack from a leading French minister who said the policies pursued by the Tories threatened to 'castrate' Britain's influence in Europe.

French Europe minister Pierre Lellouche's attack, in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, came a day after Conservative leader David Cameron outlined his party's 'new policies' on Europe, including a plan to renegotiate treaty commitments.

'It's not going to happen for a minute,' said Lellouche about the renegotiating plans. He also specifically criticized the Tories' decision to withdraw from the main centre-right grouping in the European parliament.

'It's pathetic, it's just very sad to see Britain, so important in Europe, just cutting itself out from the rest and disappearing from the radar map,' said Lellouche.

The criticism was rejected by William Hague, the Conservatives' spokesman of Europe, who said the party was taking the 'abuse' from the French minister in its stride.

In a pointed retort, he insisted that the party had good relations with 'more senior ministers' in the French government.