Roma storm hijacks EU summit

The European Union's justice commissioner insists she may take France to court over Gypsy expulsions as Paris vigorously defended its controversial policy, dashing hopes at an EU summit on Thursday that leaders would be able to showcase a continent united.

The European Union's justice commissioner insists she may take France to court over Gypsy expulsions as Paris vigorously defended its controversial policy, dashing hopes at an EU summit on Thursday that leaders would be able to showcase a continent united.

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Justice Commissioner Vivane Reding's expression of regret over an outburst on Tuesday comparing the expulsions to World War II deportations did little to defuse tensions at the summit.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has led France's charge to expel Roma, spoke with Reding before the summit but did not comment to reporters. He insists the expulsions are aimed at fighting crime and illegal immigration.