EUROPEAN LIB DEMS MOVE TO BLOCK NEW COMMISSION

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Oct 2004

Euro MPs vote tomorrow on whether or not to accept new European commissioners. The European Lib Dems have decided to reject the Commission.

North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall said: "The decision of the Liberal Democrats tonight means that the vote in the Parliament tomorrow is likely to go against the commission, as the Liberals and Democrats hold the balance of power in the European Parliament.

"The President of the Commission has failed to listen to MEPs, who made it clear that they found Mr Buttiglione unsuitable for the Justice and Home Affairs portfolio he had been allocated.

"This will be a moment when the democratically elected parliament will call the unelected commission to account. I am very pleased that it is the Liberal Democrat Group which will make the difference in tomorrow's vote."