Conservative MP Sir Eric Pickles has demanded in a letter to the Electoral Commission that Vote Leave should not to be designated the lead out campaign in the EU referendum, after it pledged to use “nasty” tactics against opponents.

Catherine Bearder MEP, spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats’ EU Referendum campaign, commented:

“Vote Leave’s readiness to use nasty and underhand tactics raises serious questions over whether they should be designated as the lead Out campaign.

“Organisations and businesses who recognise the huge benefits of Britain’s EU membership must not be cowed into silence through bullying and intimidation.

“I look forward to having a full, democratic and honest debate in which we will be making the positive case for why Britain is stronger in Europe.”