UK presidency shelves services directive

London has stopped pushing for agreement on the controversial "Bolkestein directive", aimed at opening up European services markets, following an MEPs' decision to delay a crucial vote on the bill until next year.

"We cannot push the issue for the ministerial debate before the European Parliament completes the first reading of the services directive", Emma Lockwood from the UK presidency told EUobserver.

The bill has been on top of Britain's agenda during its term at the bloc's he...