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Gerald Barling, QC, a leading European expert at Brick Court Chambers, said: “The ruling is significant. It is the European Commission flexing its muscles.”

The ruling was welcomed by most MEPs, who will now have the powers to pass criminal law and not just civil law. Chris Davies, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe, said: “Europe needs an umpire to ensure fair play between member states and to dismiss the cheats. The European Commission is the only body that comes close to fitting that role.”

The Court ruling did not establish whether Brussels had the right to set criminal sanctions but officials made clear that they intended to do so.

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE RULING

“The European Community has the power to require the member states to lay down criminal penalties”
The European Court of Justice

“This judgment breaks new ground. It strengthens democracy and efficiency in the EU”
José Manuel Barroso, Commission President

“We firmly believed it was inappropriate to harmonise criminal law at an EU level.”
British government spokesman

“This Court ruling gives (the Commission) more teeth with which to bite”
Chris Davies MEP, Liberal Democrats

“. . . a worrying erosion of British sovereignty. It’s a significant transfer of power to the Commission”
Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Conservative

“Anyone who thought that the French and Dutch voters throwing out the constitution was the end of integration should look at this closely”
Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP

“This stuff is political dynamite”
An EU diplomat

“The British Government has completely misjudged the ability of the European Court to extend the power of European Union”
Neil O’Brien, Vote No

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