Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Conservative government ministers will be allowed by David Cameron to campaign for Britain to leave the European Union.
BBC News reports that the Prime Minister will officially make the announcement later today.
It had previously not been clear whether MPs would have to leave the Cabinet in order to campaign for so-called ‘Brexit’ – because the Government’s official position is to remain in the EU.
As many as half of Cabinet ministers are thought to favour leaving the EU, according to recent reports.
The concession to Tory eurosceptics comes despite Mr Cameron’s favourable attitude towards membership of the bloc.
The move will see the Cabinet divided over the issue.
Labour’s shadow business secretary Angela Eagle described the decision by Mr Cameron as “weak weak weak”.
The Prime Minister had previously said he would renegotiate the UK’s terms of membership and then hold a referendum under the new terms.
Mr Cameron's renegotiations are now more limited in scope than some eurosceptics had demanded, however. The main measure Mr Cameron is asking for is a four-year ban on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits like tax credits.
The Conservative manifesto pledged to hold an in-out referendum on membership before the end of 2017.
Recent comments by Mr Cameron have been interpreted as suggesting the vote could be brought forward to as early as this year, however.
Polls regarding the referendum have shown a variety of results, with large numbers of people undecided.
The Prime Minister is set to appear in Parliament before MPs at 3.30pm in a statement regarding the European Union, where the announcement is expected to be made
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments