Johnson texted David Cameron just NINE MINUTES before making live statement to confirm his intention to campaign for Britain to LEAVE the EU

Boris Johnson's announcement that he will back the Leave campaign will electrify the EU referendum and hand a major boost to the Out campaign. The London Mayor made the announcement outside his home in Islington tonight (pictured right). He dramatically dismissed David Cameron's EU deal as insignificant and said he could not turn down this 'once in a lifetime' chance to get Britain out of the EU, ending months of speculation. He said leaving the EU would save money and enable Britain to regain control over its own affairs. It is a massive blow for the Prime Minister, who is said to be 'absolutely furious' with Mr Johnson and made a last ditch appeal on live television this morning (pictured inset) to try to persuade Mr Johnson to join the In campaign. On the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Cameron warned against 'linking arms with Nigel Farage and George Galloway'. But Mr Johnson insisted he would not share a platform with Mr Galloway and pledged not to participate in any TV debates against his Tory colleagues during the referendum. Speaking outside his home tonight, Mr Johnson said of Mr Cameron's deal: 'I don't think that anybody can claim that this is fundamental reform of the EU or of Britain's relationship with the EU.'

source: mail online