THE Government would be unable to stop the European Union forming its own army in the future, a south Essex politician has claimed.

James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, has stated it is "not realistic" for Prime Minister David Cameron to state the UK would not play a part in a European army if the country stays in the EU.

It comes amid speculation the EU is weeks away from presenting proposals to increase its influence by creating a military force.

In an interview with the Express, Mr Duddridge, who is in favour of Brexit, was asked if the UK could resist calls for a European army if the country decides to remain.

The MP, who is also a Foreign Office minister, replied: "The Conservative Government is against plans for a European Army, but we’re inching towards that and I don’t think it’s realistic to think that we’d be able to stop those, certainly not stopping other countries doing it. 

"We’d get sucked into it as we’ve got sucked into every other bit of the European super state.” 

Mr Duddridge went on to claim the UK is forced to alter its foreign policy “time and time again” due to EU interference.