<P> The Portuguese presidency decided to arrange the main signing ceremony in the main chapel of the Manueline Monastery of Jerónimos from 1502 in the Belém district of Lisbon, partly because this location was also used to sign the Portuguese treaty of accession to the European Union in 1985 . </P> <P> The signing itself took place on a podium with a massive LCD screen in the background, displaying the national flag of a respective member state waving when the representatives from the member state signed the Treaty . </P> <P> British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was the only national representative who was planned to sign the Treaty in the ceremony but did not take part, leaving Foreign Secretary David Miliband to sign the Treaty alone . Instead, he signed the document at a lunch for heads of state and government later the same day . A requirement to appear before a committee of British MPs was cited as the reason for his absence . This brought criticism from opposition parties . The Conservatives claimed it made him appear "gutless" and referred to it as a "stunt" which proved Brown was "not very good at international diplomacy". The Liberal Democrats claimed it raised "serious questions" and Chris Huhne said showed "inept and peevish behaviour that leaves Gordon Brown's reputation for honest dealing with our EU partners hanging by a thread". Parts of British media also criticised Brown for this, suggesting he did it because he was ashamed to sign the Treaty, with Nick Robinson, BBC Political Editor, claiming that Brown was capable of attending the signing but instead chose not to . </P> <P> After the group photo outside the monastery, the leaders took a ride on one of Lisbon electric trams together . This unusual way of transporting heads of state and government was described as a symbol of the fraternity of European countries on the path of European integration . The trip ended at the National Coach Museum of Portugal, wherein a festive lunch was held amid a historical collection of royal carriages . The delay of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown resulted with him arriving at the museum and signing the Treaty there . </P>

Which british prime minister signed the lisbon treaty