The BBC is reporting that London Mayor and Conservative Party MP Boris Johnson is set to campaign for Britain to leave the European Union (EU).

Mr. Johnson was set to disclose his preference tonight at 10pm in his column for the Daily Telegraph, but the BBC claims to have prior knowledge of the London Mayor’s preference, reporting: “Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to campaign to leave the EU in the UK’s referendum, BBC understands”.

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage told Breitbart London exclusively this afternoon: “This is really good news. Boris is one of the few recognisable politicians in modern Britain he’ll be a huge asset to the campaign”.

Mr. Johnson came under pressure to declare for out by Tory activists this week, and his allegiance was all but set by the fact that key cabinet ministers and allies including Michael Gove MP, declared for ‘out’ yesterday.

Speaking to Breitbart London earlier this week, David Cameron’s former chief of staff Alex Deane urged Mr. Johnson – lovably known as ‘Boris’ to most Londoners and politicos across the United Kingdom: “It is now clear that the Prime Minister’s European Union renegotiation is ‘thin gruel’, and that the powers that be across the European Union’s institutions have no intention of ever making the desperately needed, sweeping reforms that the union needs. With this, members of all parties, and especially the Conservative Party, need a champion with significant, mass appeal, political and cultural clout, to represent our dissatisfaction with the failure of the government to meaningfully deliver on its manifesto pledge of reform in our relationship with the EU.

“It is with this in mind that I urge the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to throw his weight behind the Brexit campaign, and help lead Britain out of a tired, fundamentally flawed, failing political union.

“Boris must surely feel the hand of history on his shoulder at this pivotal moment. His involvement in the campaign to lead Britain out of the European Union could tip the scales. Come on, Boris. Be brave. Back Brexit!”

An Ipsos MORI poll from earlier this month found that Mr. Johnson’s intervention in the campaign may be enough to tip the balance, with 32 per cent members of the public valuing his involvement in the campaign. This is compared to 44 per cent who value David Cameron’s pronouncements, and 20 per cent who value UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage’s opinions.

Mr. Johnson has been pretty clear in his analysis of the European Union before, with a Facebook video from the ‘Back Brexit Boris’ campaign highlighting his views.

He has previously likened the European Union to a “lobster… with a butter sauce”.

https://www.facebook.com/BackBrexitBoris/videos/vb.800246146787904/800714426741076/?type=2&theater