Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope congratulated Mr Reinfeldt for his presidency, but complained about aspects of the "Stockholm programme", a new partnership on some matters of security policy.

BBC: Debate on Swedish Presidency

John Kirkhope, a solicitor and academic who made the initial FOI request as part of his research into the Duchy of Cornwall, said it was "astonishing" that ministers had tried to prevent its publication.

BBC: Royal 'consent' to laws revealed after FOI battle

President Barroso told MEPs that it was time for the EU to get back to the issue of policy making, after a years of focusing on institutional reform, a viewpoint echoed by Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope .

BBC: European Council Statement