UK alliance partners scrap over prospects of isolation in Europe

Britain's coalition government came under severe strain yesterday with Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister Nick Clegg breaking with the government line and saying he was ''bitterly disappointed'' at the outcome of last week's European summit meeting.

Clegg told the BBC that conservative prime minister David Cameron's decision, to veto proposed European treaty changes had left Britain in danger of being ''isolated and marginalised'' in Europe. He added, had he been in charge things would, of course, have been different.

Cameron vetoed the proposals early Friday after he sought and failed to secure, safeguards which he said were vital for the health of London's financial sector.

However, with the 26 other members of the EU either agreeing to the proposed plan outright or saying they would refer the matter before their parliaments, Cameron's veto left Britain alone on the margins at a time of great upheaval on the continent, with the EU struggling to resolve its financial crisis (See: Eurozone deal leaves Britain isolated).

On Friday, Clegg seemed to back Cameron's decision. However, he warned the Conservative Party's anti-Europe wing against gloating over the problems the EU was faced with. But his stance hardened over the weekend, and on Sunday he appeared to have backtracked, or at least tried to strike a more nuanced position to appear to be line with his party's pro-Europe principles.

In fact, Clegg told the BBC that when Cameron called him at 4 am Friday with the news that Britain had vetoed the plan, he said it was bad for Britain.

''I made it clear that it was untenable for me to welcome it.''