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European elections: Cameron to launch Conservative campaign European elections: Cameron to launch Conservative campaign
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron is set to launch the Conservative campaign for May's European and English local elections, attempting to put the row over Maria Miller's expenses behind him.David Cameron is set to launch the Conservative campaign for May's European and English local elections, attempting to put the row over Maria Miller's expenses behind him.
The Times newspaper has reported that Chancellor George Osborne led a "revolt to force Miller out", but Downing Street sources said this was "rubbish".The Times newspaper has reported that Chancellor George Osborne led a "revolt to force Miller out", but Downing Street sources said this was "rubbish".
Mrs Miller quit as culture secretary after admitting that she had wrongly claimed £5,800 for mortgage interest.Mrs Miller quit as culture secretary after admitting that she had wrongly claimed £5,800 for mortgage interest.
The PM had repeatedly defended her.The PM had repeatedly defended her.
But he said he was "very sorry" to accept her resignation on Wednesday morning, telling her she should be "extremely proud" of her work in government.But he said he was "very sorry" to accept her resignation on Wednesday morning, telling her she should be "extremely proud" of her work in government.
Mrs Miller has been replaced by the Conservative MP for Bromsgrove Sajid Javid, an ally of the chancellor who was promoted from his previous job as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.Mrs Miller has been replaced by the Conservative MP for Bromsgrove Sajid Javid, an ally of the chancellor who was promoted from his previous job as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
'Difficult week''Difficult week'
The Times said his elevation had been "taken as evidence of a further strengthening of Mr Osborne's grip on government" - and that Mr Osborne and Tory election chief Lynton Crosby had warned about the damage being done to the party's electoral prospects by the row.The Times said his elevation had been "taken as evidence of a further strengthening of Mr Osborne's grip on government" - and that Mr Osborne and Tory election chief Lynton Crosby had warned about the damage being done to the party's electoral prospects by the row.
Asked by the BBC if the prime minister had spoken to Mr Osborne during Tuesday or Wednesday about Mrs Miller, a Downing Street source said "they talk all the time" but the idea that the chancellor had her fired was "not true."Asked by the BBC if the prime minister had spoken to Mr Osborne during Tuesday or Wednesday about Mrs Miller, a Downing Street source said "they talk all the time" but the idea that the chancellor had her fired was "not true."
At a meeting of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs later on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said the party now faced four big fights - the local and European elections, the Scottish independence referendum and the general election.At a meeting of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs later on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said the party now faced four big fights - the local and European elections, the Scottish independence referendum and the general election.
He acknowledged the party had had a "difficult week" and admitted he under-estimated the strength of the "raw" public anger over MPs' expenses.He acknowledged the party had had a "difficult week" and admitted he under-estimated the strength of the "raw" public anger over MPs' expenses.
The PM is travelling to north-west England to launch the Conservative campaign.The PM is travelling to north-west England to launch the Conservative campaign.
Interviewed on BBC Radio Norfolk, Mr Cameron denied that his plans to reform the UK's relationship with the EU before holding an in/out referendum in 2017 were unrealistic, citing as evidence his negotiation of a cut to the EU budget.
"I am for engagement in Europe, getting a good deal in Europe and then letting the people choose," he said.
"There is no opposition that worries me. What worries me is people being apathetic and thinking you can't change things in Europe.
"You can."
On Wednesday, UKIP leader Nigel Farage visited Mrs Miller's Basingstoke constituency, suggesting his party could seek to claim a high-profile scalp there in the 2015 general election.On Wednesday, UKIP leader Nigel Farage visited Mrs Miller's Basingstoke constituency, suggesting his party could seek to claim a high-profile scalp there in the 2015 general election.
He said the protracted row over the ex-culture secretary's expenses claims "reflects very badly on David Cameron".He said the protracted row over the ex-culture secretary's expenses claims "reflects very badly on David Cameron".
"He has completely misjudged the public mood on this," Mr Farage said."He has completely misjudged the public mood on this," Mr Farage said.
Labour leader Ed Miliband also accused Mr Cameron of a "terrible error of judgment" in failing to sack her sooner.Labour leader Ed Miliband also accused Mr Cameron of a "terrible error of judgment" in failing to sack her sooner.
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has also been sacked, from his post as the party's vice-chairman, partly for tweeting that it was "about time" Mrs Miller resigned.Meanwhile, Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has also been sacked, from his post as the party's vice-chairman, partly for tweeting that it was "about time" Mrs Miller resigned.
The active user of the social media site said he had been asked to resign and refused, so was sacked "over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister".The active user of the social media site said he had been asked to resign and refused, so was sacked "over HS2 and my views on a recent Cabinet Minister".