John Redwood has refused to rule out the possibility that a Conservative government could take Britain out of the European Union.

Speaking to the FT, the shadow deregulation secretary said a Michael Howard-led administration would take a "renegotiation package" to Brussels including withdrawal from the common fisheries policy and more control over social and employment issues.

Redwood told the paper he had "no idea" how long the negotiations would take. "I'm not going to start making false promises about that kind of thing," he said.

The frontbencher said he was "not envisaging" Britain leaving the EU.

Asked if the UK would stay in the EU no matter what, he replied: "I'm saying that we will negotiate a better deal for Britain."