Brussels, 31/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - Talks within the Convention on the Charter of Fundamental Rights have led to a dispute between the leader of the Liberal component to the Convention, Andrew Duff and the representative of the British Government, Peter Hain (see yesterday's EUROPE p.5). Basing himself on words uttered by Peter Hain, Mr. Duff had welcomed "the government's decision to accept in principle a mandatory Charter of Fundamental Rights". It is "a great step forward for British European policy", said the MEP. But Hain immediately accused him of having interpreted the British government's position "mischievously". Mr. Duff replied to Mr. Hain by letter, taking up the latter's words regarding the report of Antonio Vitorino's working group before the Convention's plenary, and especially: "My government has always made clear that we support the Charter as an excellent way of enshrining important values across Europe…At the same time, there are issues of what Antonio Vitorino called "legal certainty" that would need to be resolved before we could consider its incorporation into the Treaty. We are ready now to give favourable consideration to the recommendations on this in the report". In his letter, Duff confirms to Hain his "impression that you were making a significant and incremental step forward in accepting something the British government has hitherto opposed", and adds: "I will not be alone in regretting very strongly that contrary to the impression you gave in Brussels you apparently still see "real legal and political problems" about incorporation" in the Charter.