... as 80 Footsie firms join forces to back the Euro scaremongers

A SEPARATE letter from major business leaders in favour of Britain staying in the EU is being prepared for release later in the referendum campaign, it emerged last night.

Representatives of more than 80 firms listed in the FTSE-100 index of the UK’s largest firms are expected to give their backing to the Remain campaign, regardless of whatever deal Mr Cameron obtains.

A source close to the organisers of the letter told the Daily Telegraph: ‘Busi- nesses are overwhelmingly on side. We will have at least 80 of the FTSE 100.

They will sign a letter. They will be a powerful voice. It will allow us to make the argument that people will be betteroff if we stay in the EU.’

Securing the support of Britain’s largest companies would boost Mr Cameron’s position as he attempts to sell his renegotiation package to British voters ahead of the referendum. The economic risks of leaving the EU are expected to be one of the key arguments put forward by the Remain campaign.

A number of businesses have already made clear that they will back the campaign to stay in the EU, including British Gas – which warned bills could go up if there was a Brexit – and the airline easyJet.

The letter follows calls by business leaders from 21 European countries for Britain to remain in the EU to deliver ‘prosperity for all’.