Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling is thought to be one of “four or five” cabinet members certain to fight for Britain to leave the European Union, former defence secretary Liam Fox told the Prime Minister today.

Mr Grayling reportedly asked David Cameron at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, January 2 if he could campaign to leave the EU but his request was rejected, according to the BBC’s James Landale.

January 14: EU disastrous for UK under current terms, says Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling ahead of referendum

The Leader of the House of Commons last month wrote a letter published in the Telegraph, in which he said saying in the EU under its current terms would be disastrous for the UK.

Mr Grayling’s letter was seen as the first sign of a minister preparing to campaign to leave the EU ahead of the UK’s referendum, which will be held by the end of next year.

Surrey Comet:

The question of his position was raised again on Wednesday, February 3 after David Cameron unveiled a draft UK deal with Europe ahead of a final revision to be reached at the EU summit on February 18 and 19.

Dr Fox, pictured below, the most senior Tory campaigning to leave the EU, was not impressed by the deal and said “four or five” cabinet members were likely to join him and that they should be allowed to campaign.

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Chris Grayling, work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers, employment secretary Priti Patel, and culture secretary John Whittingdale are rumoured to be likely to campaign for an ‘out’ vote.

Dr Fox told the BBC: “I think if the Prime Minister has already decided that the draft deal is enough for him to campaign to go out there selling the deal, then it should be for others who don't agree with that to make their own case.

“And I think the danger of treating the two sides differently is that it will make it more difficult for us to come together after the referendum.

“So if we treat one another with respect in terms of arguments and the rules are the same for both sides, all the easier for us to come together for good governance of the UK after the referendum.”

In January, Mr Grayling wrote: "I am someone who believes that simply staying in the EU with our current terms of membership unchanged would be disastrous for Britain.

"That’s why I have always believed that it is imperative that his renegotiation takes place and delivers as much potential change as possible.

"It is in the interests of all Eurosceptics and of our country."

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