BARROSO BACKS DOWN IN EU SHOWDOWN

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Oct 2004

Commenting on Commission President-elect Barroso's decision to suspend the submission of proposed Commissioners for approval by MEPs, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East Fiona Hall said:

"Barroso did his sums and realised he did not have the support he needed. .

" The European Parliament has long been criticised for lacking teeth. Today democracy has bitten back. The Parliament has shown strength and a determination that the process of examining Commission nominees must be respected.

" Now Mr Blair and his colleagues in the Council of Ministers must do their duty. They must give Mr Barroso the freedom he needs to build a Commission that has the support and confidence of the parliament - the European Union's directly-elected institution."