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Michael Gove 'to campaign for EU exit' | Michael Gove 'to campaign for EU exit' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Justice Secretary Michael Gove has decided to campaign for an EU exit when the UK votes in its referendum, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg has been told. | Justice Secretary Michael Gove has decided to campaign for an EU exit when the UK votes in its referendum, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg has been told. |
The decision by Mr Gove, a close ally of David Cameron, will be seen as a coup for EU Out campaigners and a blow to the PM, said Kuenssberg. | The decision by Mr Gove, a close ally of David Cameron, will be seen as a coup for EU Out campaigners and a blow to the PM, said Kuenssberg. |
The prime minister is still in talks in Brussels as he attempts to get a reform deal ahead of a referendum. | The prime minister is still in talks in Brussels as he attempts to get a reform deal ahead of a referendum. |
Mr Gove neither officially confirmed or denied the report. | |
His spokesman said he supported the prime minister's efforts to renegotiate and ruled nothing out if his demands were refused. | |
His decision was welcomed by out campaigners, with UKIP MEP Roger Helmer tweeting: "Seems that Michael Gove will campaign for #Brexit. Well done that man. Courageous and principled." | His decision was welcomed by out campaigners, with UKIP MEP Roger Helmer tweeting: "Seems that Michael Gove will campaign for #Brexit. Well done that man. Courageous and principled." |
'Big name' | 'Big name' |
Mr Gove is one of a number cabinet ministers, including Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling and Theresa Villiers, thought likely to join the campaign to leave the EU. | Mr Gove is one of a number cabinet ministers, including Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling and Theresa Villiers, thought likely to join the campaign to leave the EU. |
They have agreed not to speak out until Mr Cameron gets his deal and suspends collective cabinet responsibility, enabling minister to campaign for whichever side they want in the referendum. | They have agreed not to speak out until Mr Cameron gets his deal and suspends collective cabinet responsibility, enabling minister to campaign for whichever side they want in the referendum. |
Mr Cameron has said he will campaign wholeheartedly for Britain to remain in a reformed EU if he can get a deal. | Mr Cameron has said he will campaign wholeheartedly for Britain to remain in a reformed EU if he can get a deal. |
Leave campaigners have been pinning their hopes on landing a big name to go up against Mr Cameron - with London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has yet to make up hi mind which side to back, their top target. | Leave campaigners have been pinning their hopes on landing a big name to go up against Mr Cameron - with London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has yet to make up hi mind which side to back, their top target. |
There has been increasing speculation in recent days that Mr Gove would argue for an EU exit, with some commentators suggesting he would not lead the campaign. | There has been increasing speculation in recent days that Mr Gove would argue for an EU exit, with some commentators suggesting he would not lead the campaign. |
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the former education secretary had, this week, discussed the issue with Boris Johnson. | BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the former education secretary had, this week, discussed the issue with Boris Johnson. |
She said Mr Gove had not yet had a final conversation with Mr Cameron but added: "It seems tonight the campaign to leave the EU has secured a big Conservative cabinet name. | She said Mr Gove had not yet had a final conversation with Mr Cameron but added: "It seems tonight the campaign to leave the EU has secured a big Conservative cabinet name. |
"Michael Gove is not necessarily a well known political figure among the public but has for years been a close ally of Mr Cameron, and a well respected, fellow Conservative moderniser." | "Michael Gove is not necessarily a well known political figure among the public but has for years been a close ally of Mr Cameron, and a well respected, fellow Conservative moderniser." |