MPs attack French anti-war stance

THE French government’s stance on Iraq came under attack in Britain yesterday from both Labour and Tory MPs.

Andrew Mackay (C Bracknell) branded as "deeply unpleasant" French President Jacques Chirac's "threat" of blocking EU membership to Central and Eastern European governments over their stance on Iraq.

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon refused to back the criticism but stressed Britain's commitment to the enlargement of the EU.