GETTY Theresa May could be sacked by David Cameron for refusing to campaign to staying the EU

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The Prime Minister, who is likely to be fretting over Britain’s future involvement with Brussels after several polls showed the Leave camp comfortably ahead, is allegedly seething at Mrs May’s relative absence from the debate. And it has now been revealed that the Home Secretary, whose Tory leadership ambitions are likely to have contributed to her decision not to campaign, could be given the chop in Cameron’s post-referendum reshuffle. Mrs May, who has long been associated with the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative party, chose not to join some Cabinet colleagues in calling for the British people to sever ties with the bloc.

GETTY George Osborne is leading calls for Ms May to be punished

I don’t mind if my Cabinet career is over Michael Gove

But after also declining to join Cameron’s crew in sticking up for Jean-Claude Juncker’s band of Brussels bureaucrats, Downing Street’s close allies have accused her of plotting to boost her own leadership hopes. The Prime Minister’s most reliable Remain campaigner George Osborne has reportedly been leading calls inside Number 10 for Mrs May to go. The Chancellor, who chose to nail his colours to Cameron’s pro-Brussels mast very early in the campaign, is demanding the Home Secretary is “punished” for her behaviour, according to sources.

EU referendum: Reasons to vote in & out Tue, May 24, 2016 On the 23 June Britain decides whether to leave or remain in the European Union. Here are 6 reasons to vote in or out. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 15 Reasons to remain or leave the EU

One minister backing the Remain team said: “Theresa is hiding in the hope there will be no blood on her at the end of all this. “But she’s not going to get away with it because everyone knows her game now, and all she’s done is lose respect from both sides.” Friends of Mrs May have been rushing to her defence by claiming Britain’s longest-serving Home Secretary, who in April called for Britain to abandon the European Convention of Human Rights, is actively campaigning to stay.

One stringent ally said: “Theresa has been clear from the start that she will not do blue on blue attacks. “She has been campaigning for Remain, but it has been drawing less attention.

GETTY David Cameron is leading calls for Britain to stick with Juncker and the EU

“She has also had two major bills to take through Parliament and that takes up a lot of work and time.” Michael Gove, who found himself at the centre of Cameron’s inner-circle before defying Number 10 by backing Brexit, said he doesn’t care if his Cabinet career is put in jeopardy.

GETTY Michael Gove has said he doesn't care if backing Brexit damages his Cabinet career