IJAMES Stevens, would-be Conservative MP for Bolton West, has hit out over EU plans to scrap the traditional British passport for a European replacement.

Prospective parliamentary candidate Mr Stevens labelled proposals to ditch the British Royal Crest with the European stars as the "ultimate insult".

Mr Stevens said: "Plans to force us to scrap our passport by removing the Royal Crest and replacing it with the European stars is the ultimate insult to our proud and historic role in the creation of a free and democratic Europe."

He said that if Brussels bureaucrats introduced the standardised blue European passport, featuring the 12 yellow stars of the community, it would "abolish the whole concept of an independent British state".

He added: "The vast majority of the British people are proud of our history and heritage and the role Britain played creating a modern democratic Europe. It's these achievements that are symbolised by the royal crest on our passport."

And he said he had little confidence in the Government's promise to veto the plan, believing the fate of the British passport will "mirror that of the pound".

He said: "In three years the Labour Government has never used the British veto. Tony Blair is committed to scrapping the pound and with it Britain's political and economic independence, so why should anyone believe the Labour Government will fight to keep the British passport?"

Mr Stevens invited any comments from those opposed to the loss of the British passport - write to The Conservative Office, New Hall Lane, Heaton.