Michael Gove is fuelling hopes that he will back the campaign to leave the European Union by telling friends and colleagues of his deep discomfort at voting to remain.

Downing Street sources had indicated that the justice secretary was likely to side with David Cameron and George Osborne, the chancellor, by backing Britain to stay in the EU. Privately, however, Mr Gove claims to be torn between personal loyalty to the prime minister and his conscience.

He is intellectually convinced of the case for leaving but worried about contributing to a campaign that would wreck Mr Cameron’s legacy, friends said. His discomfort is said to be heightened by the prime minister’s demand that he presents plans for a court to defend Britain against new EU