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David Cameron backs down over threat to sack ministers who campaign for Britain to exit EU David Cameron backs down over threat to sack ministers who campaign for Britain to exit EU
(34 minutes later)
David Cameron has appeared to back down over his threat to sack ministers if they campaign for Britain to leave the European Union.David Cameron has appeared to back down over his threat to sack ministers if they campaign for Britain to leave the European Union.
Downing Street said the media had "over-interpreted" the Prime Minister's remarks yesterday when he told a press conference at the G7 summit in Germany that everyone in his government would have to back his strategy to "renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in" the EU.Downing Street said the media had "over-interpreted" the Prime Minister's remarks yesterday when he told a press conference at the G7 summit in Germany that everyone in his government would have to back his strategy to "renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in" the EU.
A host of prominent Conservative MPs reacted angrily to suggestions he would demand his ministers back his position in the referendum, with David Davis saying he risked reopening the party's "bitter" wounds over Europe and Andrew Mitchell warning the "lid could blow off" the party if ministers were denied a chance to follow their conscience. The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman told journalists that no decision had been made on whether the principle of collective government responsibility would apply to the referendum campaign itself, insisting Mr Cameron had been referring only to the renegotiation phase.
But the Prime Minister's official spokeswoman told journalists today that no decision had been made on whether the principle of collective government responsibility would apply to the referendum campaign itself, insisting Mr Cameron had been referring only to the renegotiation phase.
"The Prime Minister was clearly talking yesterday about the position of collective responsibility during the renegotiation - a position the PM has set out previously, including in the House during the Queen's Speech debate," the spokeswoman said. "The Prime Minister was clearly talking yesterday about the position of collective responsibility during the renegotiation - a position the PM has set out previously, including in the House during the Queen's Speech debate," the spokeswoman said. 
Asked whether ministers would be bound by collective government responsibility during the referendum campaign itself, she said: "He has not set that out and we are not getting into any hypotheticals on the approach to the referendum."Asked whether ministers would be bound by collective government responsibility during the referendum campaign itself, she said: "He has not set that out and we are not getting into any hypotheticals on the approach to the referendum."
Number 10 was seeking to clarify the government's position after a host of prominent Conservative MPs reacted angrily to reports that ministers would not be given the freedom to campaign for the 'No' side of the vote.Number 10 was seeking to clarify the government's position after a host of prominent Conservative MPs reacted angrily to reports that ministers would not be given the freedom to campaign for the 'No' side of the vote.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Germany yesterday, Mr Cameron said: "We have a clear view: renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in it.Speaking at the G7 summit in Germany yesterday, Mr Cameron said: "We have a clear view: renegotiate, get a deal that's in Britain's interest and then recommend Britain stays in it.
Warning his ministers, he added: "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 that will lead to a successful outcome.Warning his ministers, he added: "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 that will lead to a successful outcome.
"Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto.""Everyone in government has signed up to the programme set out in the Conservative manifesto."