This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36115138

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Barack Obama visit: President urges UK to stay in EU Barack Obama says Brexit would leave UK 'back of the queue'
(about 1 hour later)
Barack Obama has said it increases UK power and security to be part of the European Union, at a joint press conference with David Cameron. US President Barack Obama has said Britain would go to the "back of the queue" for trade deals with the US if it votes to leave the European Union.
Mr Cameron said being a member of the EU strengthened Britain's "special relationship" with the US. He said Britain was at its best when "helping to lead" a strong EU and membership made it a "bigger player" on the world stage.
The US President earlier had lunch with the Queen with his wife Michelle at the start of a three day visit to the UK. He was speaking at the start of a three day visit to the UK.
Mr Obama paid warm tribute to the Queen on her 90th birthday describing her as "truly one of my favourite people". Leave EU campaigners reacted angrily to his words, with Tory MP Dominic Raab dubbing him a "lame duck" president.
Mr Obama's intervention into the EU referendum debate has been criticised as "hypocritical" by London Mayor and EU leave campaigner Boris Johnson and UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he was the most anti-British US president ever. UKIP leader Nigel Farage said Mr Obama would not be in office "by the time we're out of the EU post-referendum" and trade deals would be in both countries' interests.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron said being a member of the EU strengthened Britain's "special relationship".
'Influence'
On the UK's upcoming referendum on its EU membership, he said: "This is our choice - nobody else's - the sovereign choice of the British people - but as we make that choice, it surely makes sense to listen to what our friends think."
Mr Obama said: "The UK is at its best when it's helping to lead a strong European Union. It leverages UK power to be part of the EU. I don't think the EU moderates British influence in the world, it magnifies it.
"America wants Britain's influence to grow, including within Europe."
On whether he should be intervening on the UK's referendum, he said: "Let me be clear: ultimately this is something the British voters have to decide for themselves.
"As part of our special relationship, part of being friends is to be honest and to let you know what I think, and speaking honestly, the outcome of that decision is a matter of deep interest to the US, because it affects our prosperity as well."
Earlier, the US president and his wife Michelle had lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, and paid tribute to Her Majesty on her 90th birthday, describing her as "truly one of my favourite people".
'Big fan'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will welcome the Obamas for dinner at Kensington Palace on Friday evening.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will welcome the Obamas for dinner at Kensington Palace on Friday evening.
Analysis Mr Obama's intervention into the EU referendum debate has been criticised as "hypocritical" by London Mayor and EU leave campaigner Boris Johnson, and UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he was the most anti-British US president ever.
BBC deputy royal correspondent Sarah Campbell
The Duke of Edinburgh drove the Queen into the Castle grounds to meet the president and first lady as they disembarked from their helicopter.
After a quick chat, there was some discussion over where people should sit, with Mr Obama opting for the front seat.
Prince Philip, aged 94, returned to the wheel.
This is the third time the couples have met and the first time in the historic surrounds of Windsor Castle.
Their last meeting was during a visit in 2011 when the Obamas stayed in Buckingham Palace.
In 2009, in what was taken to be a sign of a friendly relationship between the families, the first lady was photographed with her arm around the Queen's waist.
In their meetings since, including today, there does seem to be a genuine warmth between the two families.
Today's lunch is private. To the frustration of the many journalists covering this visit, whatever the Queen makes of the president's views on Britain in Europe will remain within the castle walls.
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. They claim the US "would never contemplate anything like the EU for itself".
In an article for the Telegraph, President Obama acknowledged 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.
"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."
In response, Mr Cameron tweeted: "The US is one of our closest allies. So it's important to hear Barack Obama on why we should remain in the EU."
EU referendum: In depthEU referendum: In depth
The UK's EU vote: All you need to knowThe UK's EU vote: All you need to know
EU for beginners: A guideEU for beginners: A guide
Is Britain safer in or out of the EU?Is Britain safer in or out of the EU?
A-Z guide to EU-speakA-Z guide to EU-speak
Who's who: The Vote Leave teamWho's who: The Vote Leave team
Who's who: The Remain campaignWho's who: The Remain campaign
But Vote Leave's Boris Johnson said although he was a "big fan" of Mr Obama, remaining in the EU is "clearly something we have a disagreement on". Mr Johnson said that although he was a "big fan" of Mr Obama, remaining in the EU is "clearly something we have a disagreement on".
He said: "America's a proud democracy built on principles of liberty. It is hypocritical for us to be told by America to embroil ourselves ever more deeply in a structure which would be absolutely alien to American traditions.He said: "America's a proud democracy built on principles of liberty. It is hypocritical for us to be told by America to embroil ourselves ever more deeply in a structure which would be absolutely alien to American traditions.
"I think most Americans would accept that there is something rum about asking us to subordinate our democracy in this way, when America would not dream in a million years of doing likewise.""I think most Americans would accept that there is something rum about asking us to subordinate our democracy in this way, when America would not dream in a million years of doing likewise."
Mr Johnson originally criticised Mr Obama in an article in the Sun but has since been criticised for making comments about the president's "part-Kenyan" ancestry.Mr Johnson originally criticised Mr Obama in an article in the Sun but has since been criticised for making comments about the president's "part-Kenyan" ancestry.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage told BBC News Mr Obama's views on the UK had been shaped by his Kenyan grandfather's experience of colonial Britain and he bears a grudge against Britain.UKIP leader Nigel Farage told BBC News Mr Obama's views on the UK had been shaped by his Kenyan grandfather's experience of colonial Britain and he bears a grudge against Britain.