In a major blow to Prime Minister David Cameron, The Sun has come out in favour of Brexit in the upcoming EU referendum.

The newspaper's front page on Tuesday carries an editorial backing the Leave campaign: “We urge our readers to beLEAVE in Britain and vote to quit the EU on June 23”.

The influential tabloid said that outside the EU Britain "can become richer, safer and free at long last to forge our own destiny", adding that "For all David Cameron’s witless assurances, our powers and values WILL be further eroded," if Britain votes to Remain.

Rupert Murdoch, who is chairman of the Sun and the Times owner News Corp, has previously hit out at the government for its “false claims” on the UK economy suffering in the event of Brexit. The media baron is in London this week ahead of his annual summer party.

In March he tweeted: “UK Brexit campaign gathers force as government makes obviously false claims aimed at scaring voters. Early days yet.”

Read more: The definitive list of everyone who's ever expressed a view on Brexit

In the runup to the 1992 general election, the newspaper famously portrayed the then Labour leader Neil Kinnock in a lightbulb on polling day.

The headline read: “If Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights.”

The paper later claimed “It’s the Sun wot won it” after John Major won a majority in the House of Commons after beating Kinnock.

In 2009, The Sun threw its weight behind the Conservatives with a headline on its frontpage: “Labour’s Lost It”.

The Sun’s stablemate, The Times, has yet to declare a position on the EU referendum.