Tony Blair is today using breakfast talks with Bertie Ahern to secure Britain's "red lines" on the European constitution.

The move is being seen as a last-ditch attempt to secure an agreement on the remaining obstacles before European leaders discuss a final draft of the constitution in Brussels later this month.

The prime minister welcomes Spain’s Socialist prime minister to Downing Street today.

The main item on the agenda will be the forthcoming summit on the European constitution.

David Mathieson, who was special adviser to former foreign secretary Robin Cook and is an expert on Spanish socialism, said: "Blair has shown that he can make friends with anybody."