EU crucial for British prosperity

Prime Minister Gordon Brown plans to tell business leaders in London on Monday that Britain's economic future depends on it playing a central role in the European Union.

Britain must be a leader in Europe, Brown will argue in a speech responding to critics who have accused him of surrendering powers to Brussels by signing a treaty last month that simplified how the 27-country union is run.

Brown is set to say the current financial turmoil triggered by the U.S. subprime credit crisis means Britain should become more active within the EU. London, Monday, AP