Clegg suffers blow to authority as Lib Dem peers vote against EU treaty referendum

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg faced fresh humiliation last night after his extraordinary stance on the EU Treaty was rejected by his own Peers.

He suffered a blow to his authority when Lib Dems in the Lords voted against holding a referendum on the sweeping Brussels power-grab.

Critics said it proved Mr Clegg's grasp on his party was 'very weak' while its position on Europe was in 'total chaos'.

In the Commons last month, Mr Clegg sparked outrage by ordering his troops to abstain on giving British people a say on the revamped constitution.

Despite an election pledge to hold a referendum, Mr Clegg decided to sit on the fence - claiming the real issue should be an 'in or out' vote on the UK's membership of the EU.

But it backfired as 15 Lib Dem MPs - including three frontbenchers who later quit - rebelled to vote in favour. It also rescued Prime Minister Gordon Brown from defeat in two crucial votes on the Lisbon Treaty.

It will see the creation of a permanent EU president, foreign minister and surrenders nearly 50 national vetoes to Brussels.

Last night Lib Dem peers said they would vote against a referendum - dashing Tory hopes of a national poll, which is favoured by nine out of 10 Britons.

Lord McNally, the party's pro-European leader in the Lords, made clear his position at the start of the European Union (Amendment) Bill, which ratifies the controversial treaty.

Tory peers were hoping to persuade the Lib Dems to abstain again - making it easier to win a vote on a referendum as Labour does not have a majority in the Lords.

But Lord McNally said he would not fall into 'elephant traps' set by the Tories.

William Hague, the Tory foreign affairs spokesman, said it proved the Lib Dem position on Europe was in 'total chaos'.

He said: "They now a have three way split between rebel MPs who want a referendum, Lords officially voting against a referendum and a leadership lamely abstaining.

"Nick Clegg's authority over his party now looks very weak indeed.

"His frontbenchers who honourably resigned because they refused to abstain will now be wondering what the point was. Two U-turns add up to going round in circles.

"The Lib Dems' farcical antics in the Commons look increasingly cynical if their real agenda is indeed to deny the British people a say on the renamed EU Constitution at all costs."

He added: "Lib Dem MPs should expect voters to hold them to account for their party's decision to actively try to block a referendum."

Lord Strathclyde, the Tory leader in the Lords, said the Lib Dems were 'treating the British people like fools'.

He said: "This new line makes a complete laughing stock of Mr Clegg."

But sources close to Mr Clegg, a former MEP who is against a referendum on the Treaty, said he was 'absolutely fine' with the stance.

"The chance of a referendum is gone. It was voted down by the Commons. It would have been wrong for the unelected Lords to oppose the will of the elected Commons," they said.