cancel2 2022
Canceled
What an extraordinary sight, Obama issuing threats over the EU referendum. He has certainly pissed off a lot of people, indeed it may well backfire.
US President Barack Obama is in Britain for a farewell three day visit
He and wife Michelle lunched at Windsor with the Queen and Prince Philip
Cameron and Obama were locked in talks for more than an hour today
The President set out his strong support for the EU in a press conference
Vote Leave immediately hit back at 'orchestrated' Obama intervention
Obama's answers sparked speculation they had been written in No 10 after it included typically British phrases like 'queue' instead of 'line'
Mr Obama launched his pro-EU blitz with an opnion column on the benefits of European Union membership in the Daily TelegraphBarack Obama tonight warned Britain would be at the 'back of the queue' for a trade deal with America if it quits the EU. In an extraordinary intervention standing alongside David Cameron at the Foreign Office, the US President warned there was no prospect of a deal 'any time soon'. Mr Obama defended his right to comment on Britain's June 23 poll despite claims from Leave campaigners that he was being 'hypocritical' and had 'double standards'.
The President insisted his remarks, which have been long planned by Mr Cameron's In campaign, were not a 'threat' to Britain. But the speech enraged campaigners who support Brexit, with Tory MPs immediately warning that drumming up support from foreign presidents was 'not a good look' for Mr Cameron.
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But Justice Minister and Vote Leave spokesman Dominic Raab immediately hit back at Mr Obama. He said: 'The President made clear that uncontrolled immigration into the EU is a threat to national security. I agree - that is why it is safer to take back control so that we can stop terror suspects from Europe coming into the UK. 'He argued that he thinks it is in America's interests for the UK to stay in the EU but what is good for US politicians is not necessarily good for the British people.
'We want more international cooperation after we Vote Leave, but the EU is not fit for purpose, and cannot cope with the multiple crises we face like terrorism, Syria and mass migration. 'The US would not dream of opening its border with Mexico, so it is hypocritical for President Obama to insist that we do the same with Europe.'
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Mr Raab's intervention concluded what could prove to be the biggest day in the referendum campaign:
- London Mayor Boris Johnson hit back with his own remarks in The Sun - but the Tory MP sparked a fierce row of his own with a claim that the 'part Kenyan' US president had an 'ancestral dislike of the British empire'
- In a choreographed day of activity surrounding the President's visit, Mr Obama flew to Windsor Castle on Marine One for lunch with The Queen and Prince Philip. The 94-year-old Duke drove Mr Obama, his wife Michelle and the Queen to the Castle
- The US President then swept into Downing Street in a 19-vehicle convoy shortly after 3pm for an extended meeting with Mr Cameron. After a warm greeting on the steps of No 10, the two leaders spent more than an hour on wide-ranging talks
- At 5pm, Mr Cameron and Mr Obama emerged from No 10, crossed Downing Street to the Foreign Office and launched a passionate joint defence of EU membership
- The claims by Mr Obama enraged Brexit campaigner who accused No 10 of orchestrating the whole event to intimidate Britons into voting In on June 23
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