Fury as Queen is dragged into EU referendum row

FRESH concern was growing last night that the Queen could be dragged into the referendum debate after warnings Downing Street was trying to hijack her 90th birthday celebrations.

Senior sources expressed fears that the Monarch may come under pressure to show support for the UK’s links with Brussels over the coming months.

Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said that any attempt to co- opt the Royal Family into the campaign to keep Britain in the EU would be a “complete abuse.”

Events to honour the Queen’s official 90th birthday in June include a street party for 10,000 people in The Mall.

However, fears emerged yesterday that the Government could try to manipulate the celebrations to help the remain campaign in the EU referendum.

One worry is officials could use her speech to send a signal of support for staying in the EU. A source said: “There is concern she could be asked to drop a hint. The Palace is determined to protect the Queen this year.” It follows a row last month when the Duke of Cambridge made a speech to diplomats hailing Britain’s partnerships with other nations as the “bedrock of our security and prosperity”.

Some critics claimed the speech was drafted by officials to signal support for the EU. The allegation was denied by Buckingham Palace. Mr Jenkin, chairman of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee, said: “Any attempt to press- gang Her Majesty into any domestic political messaging would be a complete abuse.”

A few days before the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 the Queen urged Scots to “think very carefully about the future” in what was seen as a highly orchestrated move.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

Downing Street aides rejected suggestions of any attempt to use the Royals. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “This unsubstantiated speculation is categorically not true.”

‘ It would be a complete

abuse of the Royals’