Commenting on Portugal’s promise to “…bind the 27 sovereign European states in a common present and future,” Stevenson said: “The way they intend to achieve this towering ambition is, however, clouded in obscure Euro babble.”

According to the English translation of the Socialist Portuguese government’s programme, their priorities will include: better implementation of the Lisbon Strategy; The SISone4ALL proposal; a conceptual debate on cohesion; flexicurity; a gender-bases perspective in all policy domains; e-justice and mediation; EU strategy on bio-preparation; the integration of the Prüm Treaty on the acquis; and a new generation of external policies and effective multilateralism.

Stevenson said: "Clear? I hope so. I'm sure Europe's 480 million citizens will be leaping for joy at the prospect.”

He continued: "Sadly there is a sinister hidden agenda at work. Such convoluted Euro-jargon is designed to hide the real motives of the Portuguese presidency which is determined to rush through the endorsement of the Amending Treaty (Constitution) at a special IGC (Inter Governmental Conference) starting later this month.

“Despite protests that the new Treaty is not simply a resurrection of the Constitution and will not drain further sovereignty, in fact UK powers of veto in 60 key areas including energy, transport, employment law, the diplomatic service and aspects of criminal justice will be transferred from Westminster to Brussels.

“Tony Blair signed up to this disgraceful deal during his final days as Prime Minister and now Gordon Brown is trying to deny the people of Britain a referendum, despite a Labour Party election manifesto pledge to seek the approval of the British people if new powers were to be transferred from the UK to the EU. Ireland is set to hold a referendum on the new Treaty and the UK must follow suit.”

He added: “Gordon Brown must not be allowed to renege on his manifesto promise. The people of Britain must have their say."