Tory tensions over Europe erupted today as Cabinet minister Chris Grayling was accused of “peddling myths” about the EU.
The Commons leader branded EU membership “disastrous” for the country’s future and made clear he will probably campaign for an exit in the referendum expected later this year.
Former minister Damian Green said Mr Grayling’s comments came close to breaching David Cameron’s order that ministers stay united during his negotiations for reform.
“It’s a carefully written article going along the tightrope of overtly breaking the rules the Prime Minister set down for the Cabinet last week,” said the Tory MP, a key figure in the campaign to stay in the EU.
He added: “I think he’s peddling myths about Britain in Europe,” citing the economy as proof things were not disastrous.
Mr Grayling’s intervention in a Telegraph article put pressure on other ministers to speak out over coming weeks. However, Downing Street was said to be “relaxed” and one Eurosceptic Tory sniped: “It read as though it was co-authored by No 10.”
