Hague says no UK veto on use of EU institutions for pact

LONDON: Britain will not veto the use of European Union institutions by the other 26 members of the bloc as they push forward a new fiscal pact which excludes London, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Monday.

Speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels later in the day, Hague said Britain had "real legal concerns" about the use of the European Court of Justice under the new agreement but said it would reserve its position for now.

"If the use of the EU institutions at any point threatens Britain's fundamental rights under the EU treaties or damages our vital interests such as the single market then we would have to take action about that, including legal action," he told BBC radio.

But he added: "We will reserve our position on the specific question about the use of the court... we're not intending to take action about that now."

Hague's comments appear to contradict those made by another government minister, Iain Duncan Smith, who said Sunday he expected Prime Minister David Cameron to uphold his threat of a veto at Monday's summit. (AFP)