LONDON, June 3 (UPI) -- Britain is planning to shelve plans for a referendum on the European constitution after the emphatic no votes in Holland and France.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will tell Parliament Monday legislation providing for a British referendum will be suspended until there is "clarity" from EU leaders, the Times of London reported Friday.
However, European leaders such as French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder say the ratification process should continue despite the defeats.
But other member states facing tough referendums have signaled they may follow Britain's lead, deepening the current split in the European Union.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso appears to be coming round to the British position.
"You have to be realistic and recognize realities. A pause is very realistic. Barroso understands Blair's position," a commission source told the Times.
The Council of Ministers will discuss whether to continue with the ratification process when it meets June 16. However, Schroeder, Chirac and current EU President Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg, plan a weekend emergency meeting.
