The Conservative leader William Hague has attacked pro-European rebels within his party, warning that he is not prepared to be blackmailed over European policy.

William Hague on BBC Radio Five Live. (Dur 34")

Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live, Mr Hague also re-issued his promise to put European policy to a vote by the entire party.

He said: "Let's have these arguments now and I will put this all to a vote of the entire membership of the Conservative Party.

Pro-European Michael Heseltine: one of the 12

"That will make the final decision on our policy. If the party supports me on this policy - and there is every indication that it will do - then other people will have to like it or lump it."

The European row within the Conservative Party exploded when 12 high-profile Tories wrote to The Independent newspaper.

The 12, including Sir Leon Brittan and Christopher Patten, warned they were prepared to back Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair.

They want Mr Hague to help prepare for early entry into the single European currency.

The BBC's political correspondent David Walter (Dur 1'16")

Asked whether there was the risk that his policy would force pro-Europeans out of the party Mr Hague said he did not want them to leave.

But he added: "I'm not going to be blackmailed by anybody. I'm not going to be held to ransom by anybody.

"Anybody who says to me, `You change your policy or I leave the party' - well the policy will stay the same."

He said he would not be happy if anyone chose to quit the party under those circumstances.

The 12 signatures in print sparked the current Euro row

Mr Hague added: "But it is more important for the majority of the party to be fighting for what it really believes and for the majority of the party to be united behind a clear message than for every single person to be happy."

He had earlier warned the pro-Europeans: "Some people are going to have to accept they had their chance. They've had their day, I'm in charge now."

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