British foreign minister seeks looser ties with EU

Britain could gain from loosening its ties with the European Union, dpa quoted British Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying in an interview published by The Times on Saturday. The foreign minister, who as leader of the Conservative Party fought - and lost - the 2001 general election from an extreme eurosceptic platform, said his country's decision not to join the euro had been vindicated by the troubles now afflicting the single European currency. Asked if Britain could prosper by distancing itself from Brussels in other policy areas, Hague told The Times: "It's true of the euro, it could be true of more areas in future. In fact we may get ahead as a result of being outside." As many as 80 Tory lawmakers want Prime Minister David Cameron to review Britain's ties with the EU.