The lies our diplomats relay

It was once said that a diplomat is someone sent abroad to lie for their country. This seems never to have been truer than in the British Embassy in Oslo, which has put out the following statement, linked from here: MURPHY COMMENTS ON EU TREATY (12/08/07)

Jim Murphy, FCO Minister on Europe said:

'The idea of a constitution has been abandoned - EU leaders were crystal clear on this in June. The Reform Treaty is different in form and substance. In justice and home affairs, we have an opt-in: we only take part in an EU home affairs measure when it's in our national interest. Having the opt-in protects our national judicial processes.

'The UK has never held a referenda on amending treaties such as Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice. The only national referendum ever held on any issue in the UK was in 1975 - and that was about membership of the EEC. It is right, however, that Parliament debates the Treaty and decides on ratification - just as it did for the Single European Act under Margaret Thatcher, The Maastricht treaty under John Major, and Nice and Amsterdam under Tony Blair.'