BBC News Online: Despatches

Brussels says UK fell for F1's 'hollow threat'

In Brussels today, Friday, officials will attempt to find an 11th hour solution to resolve the conflict over the British Government's wish to exempt Formula One from a ban on tobacco advertising. Formula One has threatened to move out of Europe to areas of the world where tobacco sponsorship is still allowed. But the European Commission has accused the motor racing chiefs of bluffing. Here's our Europe Political correspondent, Emma Udwin:

With only days to go till a crucial vote on Britain's demands to make Formula One a special case, the European Commission has publicly suggested that UK ministers have fallen for a hollow threat. The Government fears depriving Formula One of its prime sponsors would drive the sport out of Europe and cost jobs.

But in Brussels a spokesman denied there would be a mass exodus. The statement is a sign of rising frustration that Britain risks undermining the best chance in eight years to ban tobacco advertising EU-wide.

Britain hopes to persuade other countries to accept a time frame to phase out or review Formula One sponsorship. But some member states still oppose giving it special treatment.

The meeting will consider how to satisfy both sides. But the European Commission is threatening -- if ministers cannot agree a compromise by next week -- that it could drop the whole initiative, leaving the Labour Government, which supported a ban on tobacco advertising in its election manifesto, to shoulder the blame.

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