Speaking in the Constitutional Affairs Committee today in Brussels DUP MEP Jim Allister QC, attacked the draft report produced by the Europhile majority on the Committee as lacking basic objectivity and peddling dishonest propaganda.

Jim Allister said, "It has all the self-serving gloss I expected.  Starting with its exaggerated and false claim that the EU can take exclusive credit for peace in Europe.  Did NATO never exist? Did it not bring the peace and security which the EU now claims for itself?"

Turning to the assertion that the new Constitution would bring "increased democratic accountability", Mr Allister fundamentally disagreed.  “Here dishonest propaganda moves into top gear. To pretend that giving national parliaments a consultative role in areas where once they were sovereign, is an advance for democratic control is a fraud. National parliaments may be consulted, big deal, but the legislative power lies with the European Parliament and the Council, while national parliaments in many areas will have less definitive, free-standing power than a parish council”.

Mr Allister then turned his fire on what the draft report  dresses up as "efficiency improvements". "These, including the increase in Qualified Majority Voting are fundamental assaults on the protection of national interests. Likewise the bestowing of legal personality on the EU, so that it can engage in its own right in international relations and, like a state, make binding international agreements, speaks not to efficiency but the acquisition of statehood. Why don't the proponents of this Constitution be honest instead of hiding behind shibboleths like "efficiency".  The same goes for the Brusselisation of defence powers and justice and home affairs powers- why hide these increases in EU powers behind "efficiency". Why not call it what it is, "expansionism?”