London Mayor to campaign for Britain to leave the EU

Latest update: 5pm

Boris Johnson said he is to campaign for Britain to leave the European Union in the forthcoming in/out referendum.
It is believed David Cameron failed to persuade the London mayor to back the status quo when they met a few days ago.

Mr Johnson says he simply wants a better deal – and will not take part in debates against his own party’s leadership on the issue.

He spoke to reporters outside his home this evening: “I have a chance actually to do something.
advertisement

“I would like to see a new relationship based more on trade, on corporation, but as I say, with much less of this supernational element.

“So that where I am coming from.”

Latest update: 4.30pm

Boris Johnson is being widely tipped to support the out campaign ahead of the forthcoming EU referendum.

It is believed David Cameron failed to persuade the London mayor to back the status quo when they met a few days ago.
Mr Johnson is expected to outline his decision around 5pm this evening.

Sky’s Jon Craig has said that if Boris does go against the British government’s official line, it will not be a great surprise: “If you think back to his days as a Daily Telegraph Brussels correspondent he was debunking and ridiculing Brussels, in those days.

“He has always been pretty Euro-skeptic, since he has been in politics, both as a MP first of all, then as mayor.”