EU Treaty referendum to face court challenge in UK 02/05/2008 - 11:31:43
A millionaire businessman today won permission to launch a High Court challenge over the British government’s refusal to hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty (the Lisbon Treaty).
Stuart Wheeler, a major Conservative Party donor, claims that he had “a legitimate expectation” that Gordon Brown would hold a vote.
The government’s decision to “resile from their promise” should be declared unlawful, he said.
Mr Justice Owen, sitting at London’s High Court, ruled today that Mr Wheeler, 73 – who made more than £30m (€38.5m) from spread-betting firm IG Index – had “an arguable case” that should go to a full hearing.
He has raised £150,000 (€193,000) from 150 donors to pay for his High Court battle.
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