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Sir Michael Caine 'sort of certain' UK should quit EU | Sir Michael Caine 'sort of certain' UK should quit EU |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Veteran actor Sir Michael Caine has told the BBC he "sort of feels certain" that Britain should leave the EU. | Veteran actor Sir Michael Caine has told the BBC he "sort of feels certain" that Britain should leave the EU. |
He was speaking as David Cameron prepares to meet the Czech prime minister, as part of his efforts to secure a deal on EU reform. | He was speaking as David Cameron prepares to meet the Czech prime minister, as part of his efforts to secure a deal on EU reform. |
Sir Michael said leaving the EU was "scary" but he did not like being "dictated to by thousands of faceless civil servants". | Sir Michael said leaving the EU was "scary" but he did not like being "dictated to by thousands of faceless civil servants". |
His words were welcomed by UKIP leader Nigel Farage. | His words were welcomed by UKIP leader Nigel Farage. |
Referring to one of Sir Michael's best-known films, The Italian Job, Mr Farage tweeted: "I welcome @themichaelcaine's support for #Brexit. Let's blow the bloody doors off!" | Referring to one of Sir Michael's best-known films, The Italian Job, Mr Farage tweeted: "I welcome @themichaelcaine's support for #Brexit. Let's blow the bloody doors off!" |
'Huge fan' | |
Other Eurosceptic voices, including Conservative MEPs Daniel Hannan and David Campbell Bannerman, tweeted their delight at Sir Michael's comments. | |
But Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East of England, Catherine Bearder, who wants Britain to remain in the EU, tweeted: Hi @the michaelcaine I'm a huge fan and not a faceless bureaucrat! Happy to meet face to face as your elected rep". | |
In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about his new film Youth, Sir Michael was initially reluctant to express a view, saying he was in two minds. | In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about his new film Youth, Sir Michael was initially reluctant to express a view, saying he was in two minds. |
He said: "To me you've now got in Europe a sort of government by proxy of everybody who has now got carried away and I think unless there are some extremely significant changes we should get out. | He said: "To me you've now got in Europe a sort of government by proxy of everybody who has now got carried away and I think unless there are some extremely significant changes we should get out. |
"Because you'll say, 'Well, we'll fail,' and you'll go, 'Well OK, so you fail. Get better, work harder, try harder and then you'll be a success.' | "Because you'll say, 'Well, we'll fail,' and you'll go, 'Well OK, so you fail. Get better, work harder, try harder and then you'll be a success.' |
"But you cannot be dictated to by thousands of faceless civil servants who make these rules and you say, 'Oh, wait a minute, is that right?' | "But you cannot be dictated to by thousands of faceless civil servants who make these rules and you say, 'Oh, wait a minute, is that right?' |
"Then they argue about financially but we buy more from them than we sell to them." | "Then they argue about financially but we buy more from them than we sell to them." |
Pressed by interviewer Nick Robinson, he said: "I feel certain we should come out." | Pressed by interviewer Nick Robinson, he said: "I feel certain we should come out." |
Former Conservative leader Lord Howard told the same programme he had some sympathy with Sir Michael, adding that it was "unlikely" the prime minister would get "genuine" reform. | Former Conservative leader Lord Howard told the same programme he had some sympathy with Sir Michael, adding that it was "unlikely" the prime minister would get "genuine" reform. |