Chris Patten joins Tory Euro-dissidents

The former Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, has joined criticism of the British opposition Conservative Party's policy over Europe.

In a letter to THE INDEPENDENT newspaper, Mr Patten and eleven other senior Conservatives have backed the Labour government's approach.

The signatories, who include a former Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and two senior members of the previous government, Kenneth Clarke and Michael Heseltine, say Britain should prepare now to join a successful single currency when the people vote to do so.

A BBC Correspondent says it will be harder for the current Conservative leaders to dismiss the criticism of their insistence on a ten-year timetable for monetary union because Mr Patten has signed the letter.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service