POLAND has refused to ratify the controversial Treaty of Lisbon, which critics say is the troubled constitution in all but name.President Lech Kaczynski told a Polish newspaper that “for the time being, the question of the treaty is pointless” following Ireland's rejection of the treaty in last month's referendum.

Graham Dines

POLAND has refused to ratify the controversial Treaty of Lisbon, which critics say is the troubled constitution in all but name.

President Lech Kaczynski told a Polish newspaper that “for the time being, the question of the treaty is pointless” following Ireland's rejection of the treaty in last month's referendum.

Poland's parliament overwhelmingly ratified the treaty in April, but it still needs the president's signature for it to take effect.

Commenting on the news from Warsaw, Nigel Farrage - leader of the UK Independence Party - said: “If only Gordon Brown had shown such courtesy to the Irish and the people of Europe who were not given a voice.

“Mr Sarkozy is right when he says that 'Europe worries people' and the reaction of the Euro nationalists after the `no' vote shows why. To them, democracy is a hurdle which needs to be cleared and the will of the people something to be ignored.”