Culture Secretary breaks ranks to fight for departure

John Whittingdale broke ranks with the Cabinet last night to declare he could campaign for Britain to quit the EU.

The Culture Secretary’s intervention came amid a boast from the head of the Britain Stronger in Europe group that he expected to win the poll by a ‘substantial margin’.

Lord Rose was condemned by MPs for being ‘cocky and complacent’ after insisting that ‘common sense would prevail’ and the country would vote to stay in.

With the Prime Minister now campaigning aggressively for Britain to stay inside the EU, Eurosceptics have been desperate to secure the backing of a Cabinet minister.

In an interview with House magazine, Mr Whittingdale became the first heavyweight to say he could campaign to leave. He said: ‘I’ve been critical of the way the EU works and I have opposed measures for closer integration and it certainly needs reform.

‘I hope the Prime Minister will get that agreement and then I’ll look at it when he comes back with it.’ Asked if he would rule out backing a Brexit, he replied: ‘I wouldn’t.’

His Cabinet colleagues Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa Villiers all appear certain to back the Out campaign – but are gagged from speaking out until negotiations are completed by the Prime Minister at a summit on February 18-19.