Mike Taylor

Tycoon Stuart Wheeler failed yesterday in a renewed court bid to force a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

A Court of Appeal judge held that Mr Wheeler's attempt to challenge the High Court's rejection of his case had "no prospect of success".

The Lisbon Treaty, designed to streamline decision-making in the expanding EC, was ratified by the UK Parliament two days ago, but cannot yet be implemented Europe-wide because of Ireland's "No" vote.

Mr Wheeler, 73, who raised a multi-million-pound fortune from spread-betting firm IG Index, accused the government of "disgraceful impropriety" in reneging on its promise to hold a referendum on the failed EU Constitution.

He contended that the Lisbon Treaty was substantially the same as the Constitution and that the government should be held to its promise, which had held out a "legitimate expectation" of a public vote.