Eurosceptic MP Steve Baker accused a Bucks-based Tory colleague of “polishing poo” during a debate over the government’s EU renegotiation deal today.

Wycombe’s MP clashed with David Lidington, Aylesbury MP, in the House of Commons this afternoon as the future of the European Union was discussed.

Mr Baker, who has been part of the campaign to leave the EU and is co-chairman of the Conservatives for Britain group, has voiced concerns over the renegotiation in the past and it appears the draft deal has not been enough to convince him to change his mind.

Addressing Mr Lidington, the minister for Europe, Mr Baker said the in-at-all-costs deal looks and smells funny.

He added: “It might be superficially shiny on the outside, but poke it and it is soft in the middle.

“Will my right honourable friend admit to the House that he has been reduced to polishing poo?”

Mr Lidington faced a number of questions from Conservative and opposition politicians during the debate and appeared to be left bemused by the Wycombe MP.

In response, he said: “No, and I rather suspect that, whatever kind of statement or response to a question that I or any of my colleagues delivered from the Dispatch Box, my honourable friend was polishing that particular question many days ago.”

The debate came hours after European council president Donald Tusk published a draft EU deal, which was agreed with the UK Government ahead of a referendum.

Ahead of Prime Minister’s Question Time tomorrow, Mr Lidington said: “The government have been clear that the European Union needs to be reformed if it is to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“The British people have very reasonable concerns about the UK’s membership of the European Union, and the Prime Minister is determined to address those.

“He believes that the reforms that Britain is seeking will benefit not just Britain, but the European Union as a whole.

“Therefore, our approach in Government has been one of reform, renegotiation and then a referendum.

“We are working together with other countries to discuss and agree reforms, many of which will benefit the entire European Union, before holding a referendum to ensure that the British people have the final and decisive say about our membership.”

Last month, Mr Baker brought the campaign to leave the EU to High Wycombe, speaking to residents about his reasons for wanting to vote against the government in the referendum which could be held in June.