David Cameron will give free vote on EU membership

Prime Minister David Cameron has indicated Government ministers will be free to campaign for an ‘out’ vote in the forthcoming referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

A collective position by government would mean ministers would be under pressure to resign if they disagree, and it is understood Cameron was told this was likely.

The Prime Minister is currently renegotiating the UK's relationship with the EU before it will be put to a public vote in a referendum before the end of 2017.

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A Number 10 source told Holyrood’s sister site Politics Home: "Collective responsibility will apply right up until the deal is done."

Some cabinet ministers are eurosceptic and are now expected to take up the opportunity to vote to leave. This could include included Iain Duncan Smith, Theresa Villiers and Theresa May.

Campaigners for a vote to leave including UKIP MP Douglas Carswell have welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision, saying it will give momentum to their campaign.

But opposition figures have criticised the move.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “The Prime Minister is failing to lead his own Government, let alone the country, putting his own internal party strife above what’s best for Britain.”

SNP’s Tommy Sheppard MP told the BBC Daily Politics it was “the right decision for the Tory party, but the wrong decision for the country”.