The foreign secretary has launched a scathing attack on Iain Duncan Smith's European policy.

Jack Straw claimed the Tory party "views hostility to the EU as an act of ideological faith" in a speech on Wednesday.

But he fell short of setting a date for the pro-euro roadshow promised by the prime minister,.

The speech came amid suggestions that the campaign has been derailed by the row over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Sidestepping the referendum issue, Straw attacked the Tories' EU policy.

"The dogmatic hatred of the European Union within the Tory party is both deep and visceral," he said.

"Pro-Europeans like Chris Patten, Douglas Hurd and Kenneth Clarke are marginalised, even ridiculed, by a new majority which views hostility to the EU as an act of ideological faith.

"At its heart, this flawed ideology represents a profound lack of confidence in Britain and what our country stands for.

"Fundamentally, it would represent a raw deal for Britain and set this country on a profoundly damaging course which would be catastrophic for British jobs and British prestige."

But his attack was not confined to the Tories' policy on the EU.

He also waded into Duncan Smith's plans for public services.

"Today, there are clear dividing lines between the two main political parties on the vital issues," he argued.

"On one hand, there is a party committed to excellent public services for all, and engaged within the EU and on the international stage to promote national interests and values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

"On the other is a party committed to cutting investment in health and education and prepared to lead Britain to international isolation and withdrawal."

In response, shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram described the speech as a "smokescreen."

"Labour claimed that this speech heralded their big fightback on the euro," he said.

"Instead all we get is a tired, old, untrue rant. His failure to address the euro in any serious way indicates the complete collapse of the much vaunted prime ministerial campaign to sell the euro across Britain. Their euro campaign lies in tatters along with the prime ministers credibility.

"For a man who sells himself as so concerned about Europe's direction he should explain why he won't let the British people decide on the EU Constitution that he's so sure is right for Britain. Flawed speeches are no substitute for the referendum the people want and deserve.

"This is a dishonest debate unworthy of a British foreign secretary. Straw should stop trying to mislead the British public and engage in the real argument on Europe's future - whether we want an increasingly centralised EU, on its way to becoming a United States of Europe, or a partnership of nation states dedicated to increasing Europe's prosperity."