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EU referendum: No ultimatum for ministers, No 10 says EU referendum: David Cameron says comments misinterpreted
(about 1 hour later)
Downing Street has denied that David Cameron has ordered his ministers to back him in the EU referendum or leave the government. David Cameron has denied saying ministers will be forced to back him in the EU referendum or quit their jobs.
The PM had told journalists everyone in government had "signed up" to his plans as set out in the Tory manifesto.The PM had told journalists everyone in government had "signed up" to his plans as set out in the Tory manifesto.
This led to criticism from some Conservative MPs, who said ministers should be free to vote as they wish. That led to criticism from some Conservative MPs, who were unhappy at ministers being told how to vote.
But Mr Cameron's spokeswoman said reporters at the G7 Summit in Germany had "over interpreted his remarks". But the PM has now said his comments were "misinterpreted" and that he had been calling for backing during the negotiations, not the vote itself.
She said he had referred to the period of the negotiations, rather than the referendum campaign itself.
Mr Cameron's plan is to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU ahead of an in/out referendum by 2017.Mr Cameron's plan is to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU ahead of an in/out referendum by 2017.
On Sunday night, the prime minister said: "If you want to be part of the government you have to take the view that we are engaged in an exercise of renegotiation to have a referendum and that will lead to a successful outcome. On Sunday night, the prime minister told journalists at the G7 summit in Germany: "If you want to be part of the government you have to take the view that we are engaged in an exercise of renegotiation to have a referendum and that will lead to a successful outcome.
"Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto."
'Passion, muddle and bitterness''Passion, muddle and bitterness'
By James Landale, BBC deputy political editorBy James Landale, BBC deputy political editor
What is it about the Conservative Party and the European Union? What is it that prompts such passion, such muddle and - on occasion - such bitterness?What is it about the Conservative Party and the European Union? What is it that prompts such passion, such muddle and - on occasion - such bitterness?
The relationship between Britain and the EU tore the Conservatives apart for years in government and in opposition.The relationship between Britain and the EU tore the Conservatives apart for years in government and in opposition.
David Cameron was elected leader ten years ago on a promise to stop his party banging on about Europe. A decade on the prime minister has got his drum sticks out and is banging his way around Europe. But not all his party is marching to his beat.David Cameron was elected leader ten years ago on a promise to stop his party banging on about Europe. A decade on the prime minister has got his drum sticks out and is banging his way around Europe. But not all his party is marching to his beat.
Some at Westminster had expected the Tory battle over the EU to be delayed until the time Mr Cameron had negotiated the reforms he wants to see.Some at Westminster had expected the Tory battle over the EU to be delayed until the time Mr Cameron had negotiated the reforms he wants to see.
Then his MPs would be able to judge whether or not the prime minister had lived up to his promise to reform fundamentally the UK's relationship with the EU. And until then, so it was thought, the Eurosceptics would give him the benefit of the doubt.Then his MPs would be able to judge whether or not the prime minister had lived up to his promise to reform fundamentally the UK's relationship with the EU. And until then, so it was thought, the Eurosceptics would give him the benefit of the doubt.
But this assumption was wrong and the internal battle within the Tories has begun already. Some MPs are talking openly about putting principle over party.But this assumption was wrong and the internal battle within the Tories has begun already. Some MPs are talking openly about putting principle over party.
Others are threatening to vote No in the referendum regardless of the shape of Mr Cameron's reforms.Others are threatening to vote No in the referendum regardless of the shape of Mr Cameron's reforms.
Read James' full blogRead James' full blog
"Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto." Mr Cameron added: "I am carrying out a renegotiation in the national interest to get a result that I believe will be in the national interest. I'm confident I can get that."
He added: "I am carrying out a renegotiation in the national interest to get a result that I believe will be in the national interest. I'm confident I can get that."
The PM told reporters it was not a "on the one hand, on the other hand approach".The PM told reporters it was not a "on the one hand, on the other hand approach".
"The government isn't neutral in this. We have a clear view: renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in it.""The government isn't neutral in this. We have a clear view: renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in it."
On Monday, Mr Cameron's spokeswoman told journalists she would not speculate on what his position would be during the referendum campaign itself. On Monday, his spokeswoman said reporters had "over interpreted his remarks".
Pressed on whether the prime minister would expect ministers to support the government position during the referendum campaign, she said: "We are not getting into that. That is for further down the road." Later, in his press conference, the PM was repeatedly asked about the issue and said "it's clear to me that what I said yesterday was misinterpreted", saying he had "clearly" been referring to his EU negotiations and not the referendum.
Mr Cameron, who referred to notes while answering the questions, would not confirm whether there would be a free vote on EU membership, saying while this was "frustrating" to some people it was important to "take it stage by stage, step by step".
Reporters at the press conference challenged him over comments in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show in January, in which the PM also appeared to rule out a free vote.
But the PM disputed that interpretation, claiming he had been interrupted on the Marr programme.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith suggested Downing Street was attempting to "dampen down" the issue following criticism from Conservative backbenchers of reports ministers would be forced to back the government.BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith suggested Downing Street was attempting to "dampen down" the issue following criticism from Conservative backbenchers of reports ministers would be forced to back the government.
And Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie said No 10's "clarification" over the issue was "absolutely necessary" since the number of ministers who were likely to resign if forced to campaign in favour of the EU would be in the "double figures".And Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie said No 10's "clarification" over the issue was "absolutely necessary" since the number of ministers who were likely to resign if forced to campaign in favour of the EU would be in the "double figures".
EU referendum in focusEU referendum in focus
David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:David Cameron is starting renegotiation of the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum. Here is some further reading on what it all means:
Q&A: The UK's planned EU referendumQ&A: The UK's planned EU referendum
The UK and the EU: Better off in or out?The UK and the EU: Better off in or out?
What Britain wants from EuropeWhat Britain wants from Europe
Timeline: EU referendum debateTimeline: EU referendum debate
Former Conservative minister David Davis said such a stance was "rather unwise".Former Conservative minister David Davis said such a stance was "rather unwise".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme it was "pretty plain" that anyone wanting to vote to leave the EU would have to quit the government, adding that this was "something of a change from what was presumed right up to the election and, in my view, a rather unwise change".He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme it was "pretty plain" that anyone wanting to vote to leave the EU would have to quit the government, adding that this was "something of a change from what was presumed right up to the election and, in my view, a rather unwise change".
Another Conservative MP, former children's minister Tim Loughton, told BBC News the prime minister had made a "mistake", saying it was wrong to "shackle" MPs and ministers when it comes to the vote.Another Conservative MP, former children's minister Tim Loughton, told BBC News the prime minister had made a "mistake", saying it was wrong to "shackle" MPs and ministers when it comes to the vote.
But communities and local government minister James Wharton, who as a backbencher piloted legislation for the EU referendum, said it was "reasonable to expect" the principle of collective ministerial responsibility to apply.But communities and local government minister James Wharton, who as a backbencher piloted legislation for the EU referendum, said it was "reasonable to expect" the principle of collective ministerial responsibility to apply.
He said Mr Cameron had not ruled out recommending a No vote if his reform proposals are rejected.He said Mr Cameron had not ruled out recommending a No vote if his reform proposals are rejected.
London Mayor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson agreed, saying the government was not saying "yes to whatever the outcome is".
Meanwhile, former cabinet ministers Owen Paterson and John Redwood have signed up to the newly-formed Conservatives for Britain group to keep the pressure on ahead of the public vote.Meanwhile, former cabinet ministers Owen Paterson and John Redwood have signed up to the newly-formed Conservatives for Britain group to keep the pressure on ahead of the public vote.
Steve Baker MP, who is co-chair of the 50-strong group, said he believed some cabinet members would resign over the issue.Steve Baker MP, who is co-chair of the 50-strong group, said he believed some cabinet members would resign over the issue.
"If we don't get a sovereign Parliament, I would be quite surprised if one or two don't resign, but that really is a matter for them," he told BBC Radio 5 live."If we don't get a sovereign Parliament, I would be quite surprised if one or two don't resign, but that really is a matter for them," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
At the G7 summit, US President Barack Obama gave the strongest indication yet that Washington wants a Yes vote in the EU referendum.At the G7 summit, US President Barack Obama gave the strongest indication yet that Washington wants a Yes vote in the EU referendum.
During talks with the prime minister in Schloss Elmau, he said America was "looking forward" to the UK remaining part of the EU" because "we think its influence is positive not just for Europe, but also for the world".During talks with the prime minister in Schloss Elmau, he said America was "looking forward" to the UK remaining part of the EU" because "we think its influence is positive not just for Europe, but also for the world".
On Twitter, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "We don't need to take foreign policy advice from the American President. The last time we did that it was called the Iraq War."On Twitter, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "We don't need to take foreign policy advice from the American President. The last time we did that it was called the Iraq War."
He added that Mr Cameron "clearly wants to keep Britain inside the EU under any circumstances".He added that Mr Cameron "clearly wants to keep Britain inside the EU under any circumstances".