Johnson dismisses Tory calls for ultimatum referendum on EU

Boris Johnson yesterday distanced himself from hardline Tory demands for a straightforward referendum on whether Britain should remain a member of the European Union.

In a move that will help David Cameron resist growing backbench demands for an in/out referendum, the mayor of London said the UK’s relationship with Brussels should not “boil down to such a simple question”.

The prime minister has signalled his readiness to hold a referendum on the EU but is opposed to an in/out alternative. He wants to use it to receive “fresh consent” for a renegotiation of Britain’s position in the EU.