David Miliband MP, Labour's Foreign Secretary, commenting on the Tories' new European group, said:

"With the current global economic and political circumstances, it is more vital than ever that Britain remains at the heart of Europe. The Conservatives under David Cameron's leadership have dragged themselves from Euro scepticism to Euro extremism.

"By removing the Conservatives from other mainstream centre-right parties in Europe, David Cameron has isolated his party and potentially this country when we need influence to deliver on the issues that matter for Britain today."