Millionaire to appeal after losing treaty case

LAWYERS for the Eurosceptic millionaire businessman Stuart Wheeler were in talks last night in an attempt to ensure that the government does not ratify the European Union's Lisbon Treaty before he has a chance to go to the Court of Appeal.

Yesterday, the High Court in London rejected his attempt to force the government to keep a "promise" that a referendum would be held on the treaty.

The tycoon, who made his fortune from spread-betting, said he had "high hopes" that he could win on appeal, despite an unequivocal declaration by two senior judges that no promise existed.

Mr Wheeler reacted with concern to Downing Street's statement after the ruling that, as he had not lodged an appeal, "we will proceed with ratification".

A spokesman for Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, said the government hoped to be able to proceed with the final stages of ratification "within days or weeks".

However, Mr Wheeler's spokesman said he was writing to government lawyers urging them not to ratify the treaty until he had had a chance to lodge his appeal.