Disheartening ban on employing MP spouses to Tory Euro crisis

"I would probably need two members of staff to cover his contribution to my team, and my constituents - but I'll only have the budget for one.

"Being an MP is a topsy-turvy lifestyle having to have a base in London and a home here in the constituency. It would be impossible for me to commute every day - I would be on a train for over seven hours each day! "

The MP for Gateshead East and Washington West added: "This ruling and the wider Kelly recommendations as a whole will undoubtedly mean a big change for me and for my family, as well as my other staff.

"And whilst I fully intend to stick to Sir Christopher Kelly's recommendations I won't be making any changes overnight, although I appreciate I will have to sooner rather than later."

But David Cameron is also facing problems over his pledge to wrest back powers from Brussels.

North East Tory MEP Martin Callanan said once the Lisbon Treaty had been ratified it meant it is "virtually impossible" withdraw from that without pulling out of the European Union completely.

"The other countries would not be willing to renegotiate the rules," he said.

On balance, he agreed with Mr Cameron's decision to scrap his referendum pledge.

"He is in a very difficult position and frankly his promises to repatriate various powers will be extremely difficult as well.

"Why would the French allow us to get what they would claim are looser and lax employment controls and what would they perceive as an unfair competitive advantage?

"That is why the whole thing was introduced in the first place," said the MEP.

He added unanimity would be needed to repatriate powers, but "completely" agreed with Mr Cameron's objective to do that.

"We should have control over our social and employment laws," said Mr Callanan.