The leader of Britain's Tory MEPs is seeking an urgent meeting with Jose Manual Barroso, President of the European Commission, after he launched a fierce attack on the British Conservative Party.

 

Richard Ashworth is contacting Mr Barroso to demand a "clear the air" discussion after the former Portuguese Premier angrily told the European Parliament in Strasbourg he believed that British Conservatives were taking pleasure in the problems of the eurozone.

 

Mr Ashworth, Conservative MEP for the South East, said: "I was shocked and saddened by Mr Barroso's approach and his language.

 

"British Conservatives have always been committed to the success of the European Union, so I don't understand the motivation for this attack and I would like him to explain it to me.

 

"Of course, British Conservatives recognise the need for reform and change in Europe and we support David Cameron in this. We know that the City of London is a vital constituent of the success of the whole of the EU, so we are determined to protect that.

 

"I make no apologies for this and I would hope Mr Barroso would accept it as a fair position to take."

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