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David Cameron was today hit by a fresh revolt over Europe as Tory backbenchers pushed for an immediate referendum on Britain quitting the EU.

In a direct challenge to the Prime Minister’s authority, the hardline Eurosceptics are demanding a vote on the issue next week.

A rattled Downing Street claimed Mr Cameron was “relaxed” about the move and would not stop Tory government ministers from joining the rebels.

But the issue threatens a major split with the Lib Dems and could see the members of the Government make the unprecedented step of voting against their own Queen Speech.

The vote, expected on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, will take place when Mr Cameron is out of the country on a visit to the United States.

It is yet further evidence that he has lost control of his party and comes as a string of senior Tory veterans, including Lord Lawson and Michael Portillo, have called for the UK to leave the EU.

In another blow to the Prime Minister, London Mayor Boris Johnson said Britain should be prepared to “walk away” from Brussels if it did not get the reforms it needed.

He said quitting would be a “democratic shot in the arm”.

(Image: PA)

“To talk of losing three million jobs is complete nonsense. And if we’re honest, democratically it would be a shot in the arm because people would suddenly feel yes, we’re running our own destiny again,” he said.

Former Chancellor Lord Lamont went further, saying Britain could “manage on its own”.

“Basically, I would want to be out of almost everything other than just having a commercial relationship with Europe,” he said.

But one pro-European Tory MP said his party had a “terminal incurable disease” and facing destruction if it could not unite on Europe.

There was also anger among the Lib Dems at Tory right’s hijacking of the Queen’s Speech in order to head off the UKIP threat.

“It would be more constructive if they spoke up about all the good things in the Queen’s Speech.

"That’s what we should be talking about, not a continuing debate about Europe.

"I don’t think it serves the Coalition well,” said a Lib Dem source.

The rebel amendment has the support of Tory MPs John Redwood, Peter Bone, Edward Leigh and David Davis and expresses “regret” the Queen’s Speech did not include a promise to hold a referendum.

Mr Cameron had tried to head off the revolt by promising an in-out vote in 2017 if reelected as Prime Minister in the 2015 general election.

But many backbenchers believe the vote must take place before the general election to stop more Tory support seeping to UKIP.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Mr Cameron had “always said he is very happy to look at all ways of strengthening his commitment to an in/out referendum in the next Parliament”.

Asked whether the PM would be “relaxed” about ministers supporting the amendment he replied: “You are fast-forwarding to a vote next week.

"The Prime Minister is relaxed about that, I think the implication of that is clear.”