The prime minister yesterday attempted to stop fears of a European "super state" dominating the election campaign. His comments followed a speech by German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in which he called for the creation of a full-blown European government.

Downing Street said that Tony Blair was "perfectly comfortable" with Schroeder's proposals, which were a draft policy paper.

However, the prime minister is privately furious that the Germans made their announcement just days before an election is called, fearing that it will add fuel to a Tory anti-European election campaign.