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David Cameron faces a nightmare split over Europe with eight of his Cabinet Ministers in talks to campaign for an EU exit.

The fledgling ‘No’ campaign for the EU referendum has approached almost a third of the Tory Cabinet about joining their group, it has emerged.

A source told the Sunday Times: “Some are very tempted.”

In a further blow to the PM’s authority, key Tory donors are also on the verge of signing up to campaign against EU membership.

The ‘gang of eight’ Ministers are thought to include right-wingers Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling and Michael Gove.

(Image: PA)

Two of Mr Gove’s former aides at the Department for Education, Dominic Cummings and Victoria Woodcock, are already running the ‘No to EU’ campaign.

Mr Cameron is widely expected to campaign to keep Britain in Europe and wants his Ministers to fall into line.

But the source said if the vote is close-run, the Cabinet will be badly split.

“There are a lot of Ministers and donors who want to leave (the EU), but will bide their time to see which way the wind is blowing,” the source said.

“If it’s 52%-48% and it’s up for grabs, I think we’ll get them.”

(Image: PA)

It emerged today Labour grandee Lord Mandelson is advising European Commission boss Jean-Claude Juncker on how to put the EU’s case.

“I would of course be very happy to follow up on this,” Lord Mandelson said in response to a private request from the Commission to help out last year.