European Commissioner Chris Patten was a man in a hurry as he arrived late for a Tory party dinner.

The former national party chairman and ex-Governor of Hong Kong was running a tight schedule to be in time as guest speaker in Witney.

But when he did arrive, returning from a trip to Kosovo and driven straight from Heathrow Airport, he joined in the message of the evening delivered to West Oxfordshire Conservative Association - party unity to fight the next election. After praising Witney MP Shaun Woodward, who was in the Patten team for the party's 1992 election victory, he urged members to get behind the party's leader William Hague.

"William deserves our support as we start the run-up to the next election. He is a fine leader and will battle through to become a fine Prime Minister as well."

Mr Hague sent a message to the party faithful. "The fight for the future of our country has begun," he said.

Mr Patten arrived for the association's annual fundraising dinner at the new Water's Edge function room, Witney Lakes golf course, fresh from his peace mission. He said he was in the Balkan state as part of the European Union's continuing process to further peace negotiations between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.

Mr Woodward said differences within the party over Europe were not an issue. "We are a broad party and William Hague is delighted to work alongside people like Chris Patten," he said.

Story date: Monday 01 November

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