Steve Baker's rebellion over campaigning rules ahead of the upcoming EU referendum was unsuccessful last night.

Earlier in the day, the Wycombe MP had argued on TV for changes to the EU Referendum bill - currently going through Parliament - which he says would stop the government being able to use "millions of pounds of taxpayers' money" on campaigning to stay in Europe.

But a vote on Sir Bill Cash's amendment to the bill to restore 'purdah' rules silencing the government on the issue in the run up was comprehensively defeated in the Commons by 288 to 97.

Earlier in the day, concessions were made to stop the vote being held on May 5 next year - the same day as elections to parliaments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

And there was a pledge to review the application of purdah rules in the lead up to the referendum.

Despite the 50 plus MPs signed up to Mr Baker's Conservatives for Britain movement, the whipped vote meant many stayed loyal to David Cameron over the issue and only 27 rebelled.