MALDON’S MP has suggested he could campaign for Britain to leave the EU.

Culture secretary John Whittingdale has become the most senior Conservative member to back the move just days after outline proposals for the future of the EU were published by the European Council.

He told The House magazine: "My position is that the Prime Minister is out there trying to negotiate the best deal he can for the country.

"I have a track record where I've been highly critical of the way the EU works and I have opposed measures for closer integration and it certainly needs reform.

"I hope the Prime Minister will get that agreement and then I'll look at it when he comes back with it."

Asked if he would rule out backing Brexit, he replied: "I wouldn't."