DUTCH voters delivered a knockout blow to the European Constitution yesterday, turning out in surprisingly large numbers to reject it.

The Netherlands became the second EU founding member in three days to vote down the treaty after France’s emphatic “non” on Sunday. The constitution was rejected by 61.6 per cent of voters.

Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch Prime Minister, said that the ratification process should continue, but admitted: “I am extremely disappointed. This is a result you can’t misunderstand. It is clear we have to fully respect this result.”

Shortly before the polls closed the European Commission made a pre-emptive strike in a desperate attempt to prevent member states declaring the constitution dead.

José Manuel Barroso, the Commission President, urged countries not to take “unilateral initiatives” that would scupper the treaty before a EU summit on June 16.

Later, when the scale of defeat became evident, Senhor Barroso said: “We have a serious problem, but we must continue our work.” He said that he would ask leaders at the summit for “clarification” on the way ahead.

President Chirac of France, anxious to avoid the blame for killing the constitution, wrote to the EU’s other heads. “While nine countries have already approved it, all the other member states should now state their views on this treaty,” he said.

But Poland and the Czech Republic, two countries that had been planning to hold referendums, both showed signs of wavering. And while Tony Blair maintained a tactical silence last night, close allies had already made clear his view that the ratification process should be abandoned.

Jack Straw refused to echo calls that ratification should continue. The Foreign Secretary said that this was the second decisive vote against the treaty and that public opinion would be respected.

“The Prime Minister and I have long made clear that the Constitutional Treaty is a good deal for Britain and for the

EU, but the verdict of these referendums now raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe,” he said.

Mr Straw will set out Britain’s position in a statement to MPs on Monday. In a move likely to anger other EU leaders, he is expected to say that the referendum bill will not proceed any further while Europe reflects on the treaty’s future.

The British Government has been in contact with other countries to find an acceptable way to abandon a UK referendum, which it considers futile.

There was a 62.8 per cent turnout of Dutch voters. They rejected the treaty even though the media and politicians had pushed for a “yes” vote.

Despite Senhor Barroso’s plea, most diplomats believe that the Dutch “nee” ended any hopes of resuscitation.

Jiri Paroubek, the Czeck Prime Minister, said that he would seek more time for ratification. President Kwasniewski of Poland said that his Government would decide how and when to ratify the constitution after the summit.

The treaty can only come into effect if all twenty-five EU member states approve it.

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