Matt Ridley and Owen Paterson are the latest climate deniers to come out in favour of the UK leaving the European Union.

The coal baron and former environment minister have both joined the group Business for Britain, which will launch a pro-Brexit campaign in the north east of England today.

The two join Lord Lawson, ex-chancellor and head of the climate denying Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), who announced in October that he would lead the Conservative campaign to leave the EU.

UKIP’s Nigel Farage – famous for saying he has “no idea” about climate change – has also given his support to the Grassroots Out campaign group, which plans to target “ordinary” voters in the lead up to the referendum.

The news comes as Prime Minister David Cameron announced yesterday that ministers will be allowed to campaign for either side of the EU referendum once a deal is reached on Britain’s relationship with the EU.

The referendum is set to be held before the end of 2017.