Nikki Sinclaire: My petition gives eurosceptics a voice

The independent MEP Nikki Sinclaire has defended her petition calling for a referendum on Europe.

The petition has led to a Conservative rebellion with around 70 Tory MPs expected to ignore the whips and vote in favour of a referendum.

All Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour MPs have been instructed to vote against the motion.

Ms Sinclaire said that the Conservatives' decision to issue a three line whip, after earlier making it possible for petitions to trigger debates in the Commons, was a case of old politics "crushing" the new.