Prodi warns UK to make up its mind over euro

ROMANO PRODI, the European Commission president, last night warned Britain to make up its mind over membership of the euro or pay the price of exclusion from Europe's mainstream.

After the Helsinki summit, Mr Prodi suggested that Tony Blair's opposition to the proposed European tax on savings was a facet of Britain's decision to opt out of economic and monetary union. "Europe will be a global player and I hope that it will be with the full participation of the UK, but it is up to you to decide whether to be in or out." He added: "There will certainly be important decisions in the next five years in which if Britain stays out it will not be a major player."

Parliament, page 8