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EU row: Cameron has 'low opinion of British people'

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has accused the Prime Minister of having "a low opinion of the British people" by downplaying the UK's prospects if it left the EU.

It comes after a Sunday newspaper column in which David Cameron accused MPs backing an EU exit of wanting to take "the gamble of the century" with the country's future.

Amid rising tensions between the pro- and anti-Brexit camps, Mr Cameron has reportedly been threatened with a challenge to his leadership unless he tones down attacks on MPs backing the "leave" campaign.

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Tusk 'no guarantee Cameron's EU deal will be agreed'

President of the European Council Donald Tusk Credit: Reuters

European Council president Donald Tusk has said there is "still no guarantee" that an agreement will be reached on David Cameron's EU reforms at a summit in Brussels.

In a letter to all EU leaders ahead of the European Council summit, Mr Tusk said: "It will be a crucial moment for the unity of our Union and for the future of the United Kingdom's relations within Europe.

"After my consultations in the last hours I have to state frankly: there is still no guarantee that we will reach an agreement.

"We differ on some political issues and I am fully aware that it will be difficult to overcome them. Therefore I urge you to remain constructive."

Mr Tusk said there would "not be a better time for a compromise" adding: "It is our unity that gives us strength and we must not lose this. It would be a defeat both for the UK and the European Union, but a geopolitical victory for those who seek to divide us."

He added that the aim was to reach a "legally binding and irreversible agreement which addresses UK concerns, while being satisfactory to all" and he hoped a deal would be done at the summit.

Mr Cameron is holding final talks in London before he travels to Brussels on Thursday to try to agree a deal on his EU reforms at the summit before the weekend.

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