LEDBURY'S MP, Bill Wiggin says it may be "almost impossible" for him to support the UK staying in the EU.

He spoke out after the Prime Minister, David Cameron, secured a draft agreement for change to the UK's terms of membership for the EU, to be put to the EU Council on February 18 and the following day.

Mr Wiggin, MP for the North Herefordshire Constituency, is not hopeful of the final outcome.

He said: “Whilst I very much wanted the Prime Minister to succeed in reforming our relationship with the EU, I believe that unless the other EU member states significantly restore our sovereignty, and prove that they mean it, it would be almost impossible for me to support a vote to remain.

"Unfortunately it appears that significant powers will not be brought back to the United Kingdom through this agreement."

Mr Wiggin said: "The draft document states, 'the competences conferred by the Member States on the Union can be modified, whether to increase or reduce them, only through a revision of the Treaties with the agreement of all Member States’.

"As there will not be a new treaty, this means that no powers will be brought back and the sovereignty issues I have long been concerned about will remain abroad."

And it is the question of the UK's sovereignty, should it remain in the EU, which makes Wiggin sound a Euro-sceptic note.

He said: "With regard to future powers, the draft agreement makes it clear that even if a clear majority of British MPs voted against a damaging new EU law it would still come into force unless politicians in over half of the other national parliaments of the EU could be persuaded to agree with them within just 12 weeks."

Mr Wiggin is also concerned about the immigration deal and the so-called 'emergency brake' on immigration which is being discussed.

He said: "On immigration too the draft deal is disappointing, with a proposed ‘emergency brake’ that we will not be able to control – it could only be triggered by the Council of Ministers on a proposal from the European Commission.

"For these and many other reasons, barring any late developments over the coming fortnight before the EU Council summit, I am planning to vote to leave the European Union.”