MEPs in a spin over treaty as they wait for Czech approval

INSULTS flew around the normally sedate European Parliament yesterday as MEPs debated the outcome of the Irish referendum and the hold-up by Czech president Vaclav Klaus to sign the Lisbon Treaty.

Its fate lies largely in his hands, following Ireland’s approval of it last Friday, but he has not said when, or whether, he will sign it.

The EU may not wait for the Czech president to sign the treaty but plan the new Commission under Lisbon rules, if the Czech Constitutional Court rules in its favour, the Parliament heard.