THE SUNDAY TIMES: Tony Blair is preparing to cave in to pressure to sign up Britain to a sweeping new human rights charter.
The prime minister is ready to do a deal over the European charter of fundamental rights this week amid fears that plans for a treaty to replace the failed European Union constitution will collapse if he refuses to compromise.
However Downing Street is pessimistic about the general prospect of a successful outcome to the EU summit, starting in Brussels on Thursday.
The charter sets out a series of rights and privileges in areas from the workplace to benefits. As well as enshrining the right to strike, it allows all employees to limit their weekly working hours, a law that does not apply in Britain at present. Blair to do deal over EU charter (more) By Isabel Oakeshott and Nicola Smith
Mark Alexander
