#UKinEU: EU reforms cannot be reversed, says Donald Tusk

The package of reforms negotiated by David Cameron cannot be reversed by European judges, according to the EU Council president.

Donald Tusk told MEPs the deal was "legally binding and irreversible".

It comes after Justice Secretary Michael Gove said the European Court of Justice could throw out some measures without EU treaty change. Both Downing Street and attorney general Jeremy Wright say the reforms cannot be reversed.

A UK referendum on whether to remain a member of the EU will take place on 23 June, with the Conservative Party and David Cameron's cabinet divided over which side to support.

Gove, one of five cabinet ministers campaigning for an EU exit, said that without treaty change all elements of the PM's renegotiation settlement were potentially subject to legal challenge.

"The facts are that the European Court of Justice is not bound by this agreement until treaties are changed and we don't know when that will be," he said.

He said Cameron was "absolutely right that this is a deal between 28 nations all of whom believe it", adding: "But the whole point about the European Court of Justice is that it stands above the nation states."

But the PM's spokesman said the text of the deal would be deposited at the United Nations later on Wednesday, adding that this would "put beyond doubt that it is legally binding and irreversible in EU law".

Tusk, who played a key role in negotiating the settlement, said it was "in conformity with the treaties and cannot be annulled by the European Court of Justice".

He said: "But it will only enter into force if the British people vote to stay. If they vote to leave, the settlement will cease to exist."

The UK's negotiation "was the first round… and the last", he added.

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