Published :Monday, 22 February, 2016, Time : 12:00 AM View Count : 16
LONDON, Feb 21 : Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday begins the daunting challenge of persuading his country to stay in the European Union, after announcing a June 23 referendum on its membership of the bloc. The conservative premier will face the outspoken leader of the eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the BBC's Andrew Marr show from 0900 GMT. Cameron announced the date for the referendum on Saturday after a two-hour cabinet meeting where he briefed ministers on a deal struck in Brussels that he said will give Britain "special status" in the EU. But, with the ruling Conservative Party deeply divided over Britain's place in Europe, six members of his 22-strong team including justice minister Michael Gove had already announced by the end of the day they would campaign to leave. ?AFP