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Steve Baker MP accuses EU Remain campaign of 'petty smears' Steve Baker MP accuses EU Remain campaign of 'petty smears'
(about 1 hour later)
A leading Conservative EU exit campaigner has criticised "petty tabloid smears" by the Remain campaign and suggested Downing Street is behind "vicious briefings" against his side.A leading Conservative EU exit campaigner has criticised "petty tabloid smears" by the Remain campaign and suggested Downing Street is behind "vicious briefings" against his side.
MP Steve Baker called for an end to "personal nastiness" warning "deep divisions" in the party were emerging.MP Steve Baker called for an end to "personal nastiness" warning "deep divisions" in the party were emerging.
Both campaigns have traded barbs with Leave's Boris Johnson also facing heavy criticism for his attacks on the EU. Both campaigns have traded barbs with Leave's Boris Johnson, who is also facing criticism for attacks on the EU.
Downing Street refused to comment on Mr Baker's remarks. A Downing Street spokesman said "we don't accept" Mr Baker's claims.
The government is campaigning for a vote to remain in the 23 June referendum and Prime Minister David Cameron, whose party is divided on the issue, has previously called for a "respectful" debate. The government is campaigning for a vote to remain in the EU in the 23 June referendum and Prime Minister David Cameron, whose party is divided on the issue, has previously called for a "respectful" debate.
But in an article for the ConservativeHome website, Mr Baker, the co-chairman of Conservatives for Britain, said he had found the recent debate "breathtakingly disheartening".But in an article for the ConservativeHome website, Mr Baker, the co-chairman of Conservatives for Britain, said he had found the recent debate "breathtakingly disheartening".
Former London mayor Mr Johnson also sparked a row by referring to Barack Obama's "part-Kenyan" ancestry after the US president backed a vote to remain, and described international figures backing the government's case as appearing in "Downing Street hostage videos".Former London mayor Mr Johnson also sparked a row by referring to Barack Obama's "part-Kenyan" ancestry after the US president backed a vote to remain, and described international figures backing the government's case as appearing in "Downing Street hostage videos".
'Appalled''Appalled'
Mr Baker pinned the blame on the Remain campaign - which he said had descended "into insults, personal attacks and petty tabloid smears on key people".Mr Baker pinned the blame on the Remain campaign - which he said had descended "into insults, personal attacks and petty tabloid smears on key people".
He criticised Chancellor George Osborne's dismissal of the Brexit case as "economically illiterate" and cited the example of Lord Heseltine, who told the BBC he would be "very surprised" if Mr Johnson became prime minister after his "preposterous, obscene" remarks.He criticised Chancellor George Osborne's dismissal of the Brexit case as "economically illiterate" and cited the example of Lord Heseltine, who told the BBC he would be "very surprised" if Mr Johnson became prime minister after his "preposterous, obscene" remarks.
"I was appalled that such a distinguished figure as Lord Heseltine was used by Downing Street to attack Boris Johnson and convert the debate into one on personality not policy," he said. "I was appalled that such a distinguished figure as Lord Heseltine was used by Downing Street to attack Boris Johnson and convert the debate into one on personality not policy," said Mr Baker.
Another leading Leave campaigner, former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, dismissed Lord Heseltine as "from the past" following his intervention.Another leading Leave campaigner, former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, dismissed Lord Heseltine as "from the past" following his intervention.
'Must end now''Must end now'
Mr Baker also claimed there had been "intolerable media smears" against leading Leave figures and their families, adding: "It is a dark day indeed when Conservatives believe that the centre is behind such vicious briefing."Mr Baker also claimed there had been "intolerable media smears" against leading Leave figures and their families, adding: "It is a dark day indeed when Conservatives believe that the centre is behind such vicious briefing."
He added: "If we're to come together after this referendum, personal nastiness must end now."He added: "If we're to come together after this referendum, personal nastiness must end now."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We don't accept Steve Baker's article.
"All our arguments are rooted in the thought that we are stronger, safer and better off in the EU."
The spokesman expressed confidence that the Conservative Party would be able to unite after the referendum.
In other EU referendum news, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said a UK vote to leave the EU could hit UK-EU trade and leave British-based "employees worse off".In other EU referendum news, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said a UK vote to leave the EU could hit UK-EU trade and leave British-based "employees worse off".
Writing in The Times, he warned financial jobs could leave London for Paris or Frankfurt and said "a vote to leave is a risk".Writing in The Times, he warned financial jobs could leave London for Paris or Frankfurt and said "a vote to leave is a risk".