British Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared to concede today that plans for a euro referendum had been derailed by the death of Dr David Kelly and the worsening security situation in Iraq.
Mr Blair said the issue would be returned to "next year". He insisted that Britain's entry into the single currency would be decided on its own merits.
Mr Blair's remarks at Downing Street today were in stark contrast to his declaration in June that there would be a "definitive change of gear" in the government's approach to the euro to bring a "strong pro-Europe consensus in Britain".
At a joint press conference with Mr Gordon Brown on June 10th, the day after the Chancellor announced that the five tests for entry had failed, Mr Blair announced a series of summer "roadshows" at which ministers would push the case for the euro.
Mr Blair said at the time: "It is time to make the argument for Britain in Europe, to take on those who believe if we are pro-British, we must be anti-European."
Mr Blair, at his monthly press conference today, made clear the issue would not be on the agenda again until the Chancellor reassesses the case for joining next spring.