'Cowardly' Brown will arrive too late to sign new treaty with EU leaders

He will arrive in Lisbon too late and will have to add his name some time after the other EU leaders.

The build-up to the treaty signing has been overshadowed by an embarrassing "will he, won't he" debate and suggestions that the Premier is deliberately snubbing the EU.

Downing Street blamed a diary mix-up for the fact that he has to give evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee of senior MPs while EU leaders are endorsing a document that critics say is a major step to the creation of a federal superstate.

Last night it was announced that Mr Bown plans to dash to Lisbon immediately after his appearance before the MPs, arriving in time for the last course of a summit lunch and to meet some other leaders.

His spokesman said the Prime Minister will then appear in the same hall where the ceremony took place, and add his signature to the formal document in front of TV cameras.

Tories seized on the announcement as evidence that Mr Brown is trying to duck responsibility for a treaty that he personally supports.

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "Some people say Gordon Brown's problems are that he isn't decisive and he lacks political courage.

"He couldn't have done more to confirm that than this ridiculous fudge.

"He's dithered over it for a week and now he decided that he'll sign this treaty but he doesn't have the guts to do it in public.

"His excuses fool no one - he must stop treating people like fools.

"If he's ashamed of signing this treaty then why doesn't he honour his election promise and let the British people have their say?"

Neil O'Brien, of the I Want A Referendum campaign, said: "This is a ludicrous attempt to avoid being seen signing up to the treaty.

"The idea that this is just an accidental diary clash is just not credible.

"It's not clever politics by Brown either, because it will allow his opponents to accuse him of cowardice again." He added: "The Lisbon treaty gives the EU new powers over everything from our public services to crime and immigration."

The Reform Treaty, negotiated earlier this year by Tony Blair and endorsed by Mr Brown, replaces the planned constitution that was rejected by voters in France and Holland in 2005.

Labour's 2005 manifesto pledged to give British voters a referendum on the constitution, but Mr Brown insists the treaty is substantially different.

Downing Street said Foreign Secretary David Miliband will be present during the official signing at noon in Lisbon's historic Jeronimos Monastery.

A spokesman said Mr Brown was "incredulous" at the level of interest in his role in the signing.