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| UK ratifies the EU Lisbon Treaty | UK ratifies the EU Lisbon Treaty |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The UK has officially ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. | The UK has officially ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. |
| The documents were deposited with the Italian foreign affairs ministry in Rome on Wednesday. | The documents were deposited with the Italian foreign affairs ministry in Rome on Wednesday. |
| The move came despite doubts over its future after the "no" vote in the Irish referendum. All EU states must ratify the treaty for it to come into force. | |
| The EU treaty has proved controversial with unsuccessful attempts in Parliament and the courts to force a referendum to be held on it. | The EU treaty has proved controversial with unsuccessful attempts in Parliament and the courts to force a referendum to be held on it. |
| Conservative MP Bill Cash sought a judicial review of the ratification process after the rejection from Ireland. | |
| And two High Court judges dismissed a claim by millionaire businessman Stuart Wheeler that there was a "legitimate expectation" of a public vote. | |
| Although there may be appeals against those rulings, the Queen and Foreign Secretary David Miliband have now signed the "instruments of ratification". | |
| These documents are on chlorine-free paper, designed not to deteriorate over time. They were then sealed and bound in blue leather before being lodged in Rome. | |
| The treaty sets out a way forward for the 27-member and replaces the EU constitution which was abandoned after 'no' votes in French and Dutch referendums. | |
| Opponents say that it is so similar to the constitution that promises to hold a referendum on the constitution should apply to the treaty. | |
| But ministers say the two differ and say a referendum is not needed as the treaty does not have constitutional implications. |