SOUTH West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has spoken in favour of Britain retaining its place in the EU to “retain full access” to the lucrative European Single Market.

Amid cabinet divisions and high-profile Conservative colleagues joining the Vote Leave campaign ahead of this summer’s EU referendum, including London Mayor Boris Johnson, the health secretary gave his full backing to Prime Minister David Cameron this week.

Mr Hunt told The Herald: “I firmly believe that after the deal the Prime Minister negotiated in Europe, Britain will be better off and more secure if we remain a member of the EU.

“The settlement secures special status for Britain giving us a stronger voice and platform for freedom, democracy and human rights.

“It also means our sovereignty and the British pound are protected and will ensure that as part of the EU we carry more weight and influence on future important decisions.

“We will remain outside the Euro and the ‘Schengen’ border-free area, and be protected from deeper integration. But we will retain full access to the single market and a trading bloc of over 500 million people.”

It comes after Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 5 Live last April he would support a British exit from the EU if the Prime Minister failed to “get the deal that we need” in Brussels.