Several of Wednesday's newspapers seize on a remark made by the cabinet minister, Peter Hain, on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday.

They take it as evidence of what they see as government disarray over calls for a referendum on the proposed European Union constitution.

The Daily Telegraph says Mr Hain was forced to perform an embarrassing about-turn after seemingly suggesting that next year's European elections could be regarded as a vote on the treaty.

The Daily Mail calls it a monumental blunder by the Welsh Secretary who had insisted for several weeks that the proposal was a mere tidying-up exercise that should not be put directly to the British people.

The Times speaks of the government being embroiled in confusion. It describes Mr Hain as a plain speaker and labels him the new Clare Short.

Clarke 'slapdown'

The Guardian says Downing Street watched the collapse of its carefully crafted policy on the controversial plans.

The Financial Times notes that the potential embarrassment for Number 10 increased when Denmark confirmed its plans for a referendum on the issue.

But two papers highlight support for Mr Blair's stance by the former Conservative chancellor, Kenneth Clarke.

In what the Daily Mirror describes as a slapdown for his party leader, Mr Clarke tells the paper that the draft constitution would not encroach further into British sovereignty.

In the Daily Express he declares his preference for parliament - rather than the people - to vote on the planned changes.

Geldof returns

The European Union comes in for further stick from Bob Geldof, who has returned to Ethiopia 18 years after he launched Band Aid.

The Telegraph says he railed at the EU for its "pathetic" indifference to famine.

The Sun says he is as angry as when he famously swore at the nation during the Live Aid concert to ram home his appeal for money.

But it is a quote by the musician-turned-activist in the Guardian which really catches the eye.

Bush praised

"You'll think I'm off my trolley ... but the Bush administration is the most radical in its approach to Africa since President Kennedy," says Mr Geldof.

The paper says his praise for Mr Bush's support in the fight against hunger and Aids astonished some aid organisations which have been critical of US policy.

The Sun steps up its campaign against the BBC over its intention to include a film clip of two British soldiers killed in Iraq in a television documentary.

The paper says that Prime Minister Tony Blair and the widow of one of the men have called for the footage not to be shown.

Eurostar revamp

The main story in the Express and the Daily Star concerns the traumatic experience of passengers on a British plane which flew into a hailstorm at 34,000 feet.

One woman tells the Star it was like being on the Big Dipper at Blackpool, as the BMI plane plunged thousands of feet.

The Times has welcome news for well-to-do passengers of the cross-Channel Eurostar service.

The ordeal of being trapped beside an annoying fellow traveller will soon be over: swivel seats in brown leather are being installed as part of a �35m revamp.

For a return fare of �500 you will be able to face forwards, swing to look out of the window or even twist to talk to the person behind.