Hain jumps the euro gun

Europe Minister Peter Hain today opened up a rift in Whitehall by declaring that the Government will launch a campaign to win public support for the euro.

His pledge contradicts assurances from the Treasury that there will be no campaign until Chancellor Gordon Brown decides his five economic tests have been met.

Mr Hain, writing in Labour's house journal Tribune, said practical Europeans would win the debate when "the practical advantages of the euro become evident when the euro notes and coins start circulating from New Year's Day".

Spokesmen for No10 and the Treasury moved quickly to slap down the minister, who is today accompanying Tony Blair at the EU leaders' summit in Laeken, Belgium.