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Pro-Brexit Tories warn Osborne over emergency 'punishment' budget

Furious pro-Brexit Tories have warned they will block any attempt by George Osborne to impose an emergency "punishment" Budget if there is a vote to leave the European Union - with one backbencher calling on him to resign now.

Fifty-seven Conservative MPs have signed a statement warning that the Chancellor's position would be "untenable" if he tries to push through tax cuts aimed at filling a £30 billion "black hole" in the public finances which ministers say would emerge if Britain pulled out of the EU.

But a defiant Mr Osborne insisted he would have no choice but to act to prevent "chaos" in the public finances and "huge" economic instability.

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'An economic explosion will follow if Britain leaves EU'

Alistair Darling. Credit: ITV News

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has said an economic "explosion will follow" if Britain leaves the European Union.

He said: "Once you light a blue touch paper in our economy, you can never be sure where it'll end up. We do know an explosion will follow.

"Look at what's happening in the real world right now. Sterling is more volatile. Investment decisions are on hold. Almost $100bn has been wiped off the stock exchange in recent days.

"All of this will damage our investment and productivity", he added.

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