Brown May Miss Eu Treaty Signing

Gordon Brown has yet to decide how to resolve a diary clash which may see him snub other EU leaders by failing to turn up to the signing of the Lisbon treaty.

Downing Street said last night the UK was trying to move the noon signing of the treaty next Thursday, so Brown could attend that and a session of the Commons liaison committee, where he will be questioned by MPs.

"The prime minister certainly hopes to go to Lisbon," Brown's spokesman said, without entirely eroding the suspicion that the prime minister is reluctant to give the Tories ammunition. The treaty has proved controversial in Britain for Brown's refusal to hold a referendum on it.

"We are trying to see if it's possible to organize things in a way that can accommodate the prime minister but obviously there are 26 other prime ministers as well that also need to be accommodated," the spokesman said. "We are trying to juggle several balls at the same time."

A spokesman for the Portuguese presidency said last night: "We expect all heads of state or government of the EU to be present at the ceremony of the signing of the treaty of Lisbon." Another official said: "From what we know he is going."

Sessions of the liaison committee, made up of the chairmen of Commons select committee, usually last at least two hours. The session with Brown was announced on Tuesday, well after the Lisbon date was agreed. But the committee will today announce it is due to meet an hour earlier than normal, at 9am.

Brown's spokesman said: "He negotiated the treaty, he is the head of the government and takes full responsibility. But there are lots of precedents for heads of government not signing."