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| Barack Obama visit: UK more effective at fighting terror inside EU | Barack Obama visit: UK more effective at fighting terror inside EU |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK's ability to fight terrorism would be "more effective" if it sticks together with its European allies, US President Barack Obama has said. | The UK's ability to fight terrorism would be "more effective" if it sticks together with its European allies, US President Barack Obama has said. |
| Writing in the Daily Telegraph Mr Obama also said being inside the EU magnifies Britain's influence across the world. | Writing in the Daily Telegraph Mr Obama also said being inside the EU magnifies Britain's influence across the world. |
| The president arrived for a three-day visit of the UK late on Thursday. | The president arrived for a three-day visit of the UK late on Thursday. |
| But writing in the Sun, Vote Leave's Boris Johnson said President Obama's view was "a breathtaking example of the principle do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do". | But writing in the Sun, Vote Leave's Boris Johnson said President Obama's view was "a breathtaking example of the principle do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do". |
| Before meeting David Cameron for talks later, Mr Obama and his wife Michelle will attend a private lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle - the day after the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations. | |
| The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have also invited the Obamas to have dinner with them at Kensington Palace on Friday night. | |
| 'Silent testament' | 'Silent testament' |
| The president's intervention in the UK's forthcoming EU referendum on 23 June has been hotly debated and sparked claims of "hypocrisy" from those who want to leave the EU. | |
| However, in his newspaper piece President Obama recognised that ultimately the matter was for British voters to decide for themselves. | However, in his newspaper piece President Obama recognised that ultimately the matter was for British voters to decide for themselves. |
| But he also said: "...the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States. | But he also said: "...the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States. |
| "The tens of thousands of Americans who rest in Europe's cemeteries are a silent testament to just how intertwined our prosperity and security truly are. | "The tens of thousands of Americans who rest in Europe's cemeteries are a silent testament to just how intertwined our prosperity and security truly are. |
| "And the path you choose now will echo in the prospects of today's generation of Americans as well." | "And the path you choose now will echo in the prospects of today's generation of Americans as well." |
| BBC North America editor John Sopel said the president had not needed to make his intervention and could have been much more nuanced. | BBC North America editor John Sopel said the president had not needed to make his intervention and could have been much more nuanced. |
| "That he has is a mark of the profound concern felt in Washington about the implications of a British departure from the EU," he said. | "That he has is a mark of the profound concern felt in Washington about the implications of a British departure from the EU," he said. |
| EU referendum: In depth | EU referendum: In depth |
| The UK's EU vote: All you need to know | The UK's EU vote: All you need to know |
| EU for beginners: A guide | EU for beginners: A guide |
| UK and the EU: Better off out or in? | UK and the EU: Better off out or in? |
| A-Z guide to EU-speak | A-Z guide to EU-speak |
| Who's who: The Vote Leave team | Who's who: The Vote Leave team |
| Who's who: The Remain campaign | Who's who: The Remain campaign |
| President Obama also said that America's relationship with the UK "forged as we spilt blood together on the battlefield". | President Obama also said that America's relationship with the UK "forged as we spilt blood together on the battlefield". |
| "The European Union doesn't moderate British influence - it magnifies it. A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain's global leadership; it enhances Britain's global leadership," he added | "The European Union doesn't moderate British influence - it magnifies it. A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain's global leadership; it enhances Britain's global leadership," he added |
| 'Stick together' | 'Stick together' |
| He said the UK had benefitted from being inside the EU in terms of jobs, trade and financial growth. | He said the UK had benefitted from being inside the EU in terms of jobs, trade and financial growth. |
| "This kind of cooperation - from intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism to forging agreements to create jobs and economic growth - will be far more effective if it extends across Europe. Now is a time for friends and allies to stick together," he wrote. | "This kind of cooperation - from intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism to forging agreements to create jobs and economic growth - will be far more effective if it extends across Europe. Now is a time for friends and allies to stick together," he wrote. |
| But Mr Johnson described Mr Obama's argument as "inconsistent" and "downright hypocritical". | But Mr Johnson described Mr Obama's argument as "inconsistent" and "downright hypocritical". |
| "The Americans would never contemplate anything like the EU for themselves or for their neighbours in their own hemisphere. Why should they think it right for us?" | "The Americans would never contemplate anything like the EU for themselves or for their neighbours in their own hemisphere. Why should they think it right for us?" |
| And Mr Johnson described the notion that the UK has more influence inside the EU than outside as "nonsense". | And Mr Johnson described the notion that the UK has more influence inside the EU than outside as "nonsense". |
| "The UK has been outvoted 40 times in Brussels in the last five years, and the total bill for those defeats - in extra costs for UK government and business - is put at £2.4bn a year," Mr Johnson wrote. | "The UK has been outvoted 40 times in Brussels in the last five years, and the total bill for those defeats - in extra costs for UK government and business - is put at £2.4bn a year," Mr Johnson wrote. |
| 'No circumstances' | 'No circumstances' |
| Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, who is also part of the Vote Leave campaign, also accused Mr Obama of double standards. | Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, who is also part of the Vote Leave campaign, also accused Mr Obama of double standards. |
| "I can imagine no circumstances under which he would lobby for the US Supreme Court to be bound by the judgements of a foreign court," he said. | "I can imagine no circumstances under which he would lobby for the US Supreme Court to be bound by the judgements of a foreign court," he said. |
| "Nor can I imagine any circumstances in which he would accept that laws should be made for- or taxes imposed on - the people of the United States without the approval of Congress." | "Nor can I imagine any circumstances in which he would accept that laws should be made for- or taxes imposed on - the people of the United States without the approval of Congress." |
| Obama's UK stay is part of a tour which also includes a visit to Germany and Saudi Arabia - from where he has just left after having discussions with King Salman on issues including Iran, Syria, Yemen and the fight against so-called Islamic State militants. | Obama's UK stay is part of a tour which also includes a visit to Germany and Saudi Arabia - from where he has just left after having discussions with King Salman on issues including Iran, Syria, Yemen and the fight against so-called Islamic State militants. |
| He and First Lady Michelle Obama are due to have lunch with the Queen at Windsor on Friday, and dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. | He and First Lady Michelle Obama are due to have lunch with the Queen at Windsor on Friday, and dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. |
| Mr Obama will also speak at a news conference with Prime Minister David Cameron. | Mr Obama will also speak at a news conference with Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| Mr Obama arrived at Stansted Airport late on Thursday and was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, John Petre, and the US Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun. | Mr Obama arrived at Stansted Airport late on Thursday and was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, John Petre, and the US Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun. |
| The Obamas previously met the Queen, Prince Philip and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their state visit in 2011. | The Obamas previously met the Queen, Prince Philip and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their state visit in 2011. |