Davidf Cameron accused of 'appeasing' Nick Clegg over EU veto as Conservative ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Martin Callanan, the leader of British Tory MEPs, said the decision was taken to "appease" the Liberal Democrats and because of a weak legal case.

Suspicions over Mr Clegg's involvement increased after it emerged that Mr Cameron took one of the deputy Prime Minister's officials to the summit.

Mr Callanan said: "There is no doubt that the government's position has altered since the December summit when they were insisting the institutions could not be used.

"I blame a combination of appeasing Nick Clegg, who is desperate to sign anything the EU puts in front of him, and the practical reality that this pact is actually quite hard to prevent."

As many as 20 Tory MPs from the rightwing Cornerstone Group were due to meet in the House of Commons office of Edward Leigh MP last night.

Sources said there was a "lot of unhappiness" among the MPs, and the group wanted to look at how they could articulate this.

The Cornerstone Group comprises 40 Tory MPs who stand for traditional values such as the monarchy, marriage and "proper pride in our nation's distinctive qualities".

Bill Cash MP, who was planning to attend last night's meeting, told The Daily Telegraph he was concerned about a "change in tenor" in the Government since the veto was used last month.

He said: "There are concerns about the manner in which the institutions are being used which is prima facie contrary to the treaty. The change in tenor is extremely disappointing."

Douglas Carswell, Tory MP for Clacton, said: "I don't see how the veto is really a veto if we allow the fiscal union members to form and to then find ourselves subject to the EU institutions being used to govern that."

Priti Patel, another Conservative MP, said: "I am alarmed by this, and anything that sets a precedent of this nature.

"It is a matter of serious concern. On areas of this nature, there should be no room for compromise."