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EU referendum live: Farage accuses Cameron of trying to exploit Jo Cox's death to help Remain EU referendum live: Farage accuses Cameron of trying to exploit Jo Cox's death to help Remain
(35 minutes later)
12.54pm BST
12:54
Here’s my colleague Roy Greenslade on why the Times changed its headline on its Sayeeda Warsi story. (See 9.35am.)
Related: Why did the Times change its mind over a Brexit headline?
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12.51pm BST
12:51
JK Rowling says referendum has been 'uglier' than any political campaign in her lifetime
JK Rowling, who is backing Remain, has written a fine essay on the EU referendum campaign on her website. It is worth reading in full, but here’s an excerpt to lure you in.
I’m not an expert on much, but I do know how to create a monster.
All enduring fictional bad guys encapsulate primal terrors and share certain traits. Invincible to the point of immortality, they commit atrocities without conscience and cannot be defeated by the ordinary man or by conventional means. Hannibal Lecter, Big Brother, and Lord Voldemort: all are simultaneously inhuman and superhuman and that is what frightens us most.
As this country has entered what will come to be seen as one of the most divisive and bitter political campaigns ever waged within its borders, I’ve thought a lot about the rules for creating villains. We are being asked whether we wish to remain part of the European Union and both sides of this campaign have been telling us stories. I don’t mean that in the sense of lying (although lies have certainly been told). I mean that they are appealing to us through our universal need to make sense of the world by storytelling and that they have not been afraid to conjure monsters calculated to stir up our deepest fears.
This is nothing new, of course. All political campaigns tell stories. They cast themselves as our champions, flatter us with tales of who we are or could be, sell us rose-tinted memories of the past and draw frightening pictures of the perils that lie ahead if we pick the wrong heroes. Nevertheless, the tales we have been told during this referendum have been uglier than any I can remember in my lifetime. If anyone has enjoyed this referendum, it can only be those hoping for greater personal power at the end of it.
12.36pm BST
12:36
Ford has written to all its 14,000 British employees saying that it has “deep concerns” about what might happen to the business if Britain votes to leave the EU and that Brexit could cost the company “hundreds of millions of dollars every year”, Sky’s Beth Rigby reports. Here’s the letter.
BREAK: #Ford writes 14k UK staff warning #Brexit. Says vote to leave could cost business hundreds of millions of $$$ pic.twitter.com/d8QIPOsjtb
12.22pm BST12.22pm BST
12:2212:22
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
A diplomatic spat between Ukip’s Douglas Carswell and Hungary’s prime minister has unfolded today, over the MP’s description of Viktor Orban as a member of the “extremist Jobbik”, who are a rival party.A diplomatic spat between Ukip’s Douglas Carswell and Hungary’s prime minister has unfolded today, over the MP’s description of Viktor Orban as a member of the “extremist Jobbik”, who are a rival party.
The row followed a full-page advert taken out by Orban’s office in Monday’s Daily Mail, which urged UK voters to support remaining in the EU.The row followed a full-page advert taken out by Orban’s office in Monday’s Daily Mail, which urged UK voters to support remaining in the EU.
Orban, prime minister since 2010, is a member of the right-wing Fidesz party. Though Orban has been criticised by other EU nations for his party’s authoritarian and ethnic nationalist platform, Jobbik goes far further, a radical hard right party which is openly anti-semitic. Jobbik is seen as one of Orban’s party’s key rivals.Orban, prime minister since 2010, is a member of the right-wing Fidesz party. Though Orban has been criticised by other EU nations for his party’s authoritarian and ethnic nationalist platform, Jobbik goes far further, a radical hard right party which is openly anti-semitic. Jobbik is seen as one of Orban’s party’s key rivals.
“Quite something that the extremist Jobbik party in Hungary wants us to Remain. You want political union w/ them?” Carswell tweeted, implying that the advert in the Mail, which was signed by Orban, was from the far-right party.“Quite something that the extremist Jobbik party in Hungary wants us to Remain. You want political union w/ them?” Carswell tweeted, implying that the advert in the Mail, which was signed by Orban, was from the far-right party.
Zoltán Kovács, a spokesman for the prime minister’s office, called out the MP on Twitter. “I beleive [sic] you owe us an apology, Mr Carswell; ignorance is not a good advisor.”Zoltán Kovács, a spokesman for the prime minister’s office, called out the MP on Twitter. “I beleive [sic] you owe us an apology, Mr Carswell; ignorance is not a good advisor.”
@DouglasCarswell I beleive you owe us an apology, Mr Carswell; ignorance is not a good advisor.@DouglasCarswell I beleive you owe us an apology, Mr Carswell; ignorance is not a good advisor.
Carswell has not yet responded.Carswell has not yet responded.
12.16pm BST12.16pm BST
12:1612:16
Alan TravisAlan Travis
With breathtaking timing the Office of National Statistics will release on Thursday morning their annual mid-year population estimates. These usually provoke headlines such as UK population grows by half a million fuelled by migration.With breathtaking timing the Office of National Statistics will release on Thursday morning their annual mid-year population estimates. These usually provoke headlines such as UK population grows by half a million fuelled by migration.
The timing is actually 12 months after last year’s figures were published and was announced long in advance before the referendum was called.The timing is actually 12 months after last year’s figures were published and was announced long in advance before the referendum was called.
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at 12.23pm BSTat 12.23pm BST
12.13pm BST12.13pm BST
12:1312:13
Lord Ashcroft, the polling specialist and former Conservative party deputy chairman, has been publishing the findings of focus group research on the EU referendum throughout the campaign. His final report went up today, and it is worth reading.Lord Ashcroft, the polling specialist and former Conservative party deputy chairman, has been publishing the findings of focus group research on the EU referendum throughout the campaign. His final report went up today, and it is worth reading.
Here are two of the themes that emerged.Here are two of the themes that emerged.
The closeness of the race is “the reason I can’t make my mind up. It’s a lot of responsibility, and I really want to get it right.” Still, most people were determined to do their democratic duty: “It means I’m more likely to try and make a decision. If one side was running away with it, I might let it pass me by;” “I usually think, if you haven’t got an opinion, don’t bother. But this is pretty big.” (Not everyone was so resolute: “My mum always said if you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything. I’ve lived by that.” How did you vote at the general election? “Liberal Democrat.”)The closeness of the race is “the reason I can’t make my mind up. It’s a lot of responsibility, and I really want to get it right.” Still, most people were determined to do their democratic duty: “It means I’m more likely to try and make a decision. If one side was running away with it, I might let it pass me by;” “I usually think, if you haven’t got an opinion, don’t bother. But this is pretty big.” (Not everyone was so resolute: “My mum always said if you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything. I’ve lived by that.” How did you vote at the general election? “Liberal Democrat.”)
Accordingly, most thought Nigel Farage’s observation that people were using the referendum to “put two fingers up to the political class” was wide of the mark. However much some people agreed with the sentiment, especially after the referendum campaign, our groups felt there was too much at stake to use their vote just to make a point: “This is real life. It’s real money and it affects real people.”Accordingly, most thought Nigel Farage’s observation that people were using the referendum to “put two fingers up to the political class” was wide of the mark. However much some people agreed with the sentiment, especially after the referendum campaign, our groups felt there was too much at stake to use their vote just to make a point: “This is real life. It’s real money and it affects real people.”
“If we vote to come out, will we actually come out?” This was not an isolated question – several participants in more than one group wondered whether the government might somehow “wangle it” so Britain stayed in the EU in the event of a narrow Leave victory. “France and Germany might offer us something… I think they will try and negotiate again much better and we will have to do it again”. Was that really conceivable? It would not be the first time, some pointed out: “several northern cities voted against elected mayors but they’ve been told, ‘you’re going to have them’.” And after all, “if you can’t name a ship Boaty McBoatface when the people have spoken …“If we vote to come out, will we actually come out?” This was not an isolated question – several participants in more than one group wondered whether the government might somehow “wangle it” so Britain stayed in the EU in the event of a narrow Leave victory. “France and Germany might offer us something… I think they will try and negotiate again much better and we will have to do it again”. Was that really conceivable? It would not be the first time, some pointed out: “several northern cities voted against elected mayors but they’ve been told, ‘you’re going to have them’.” And after all, “if you can’t name a ship Boaty McBoatface when the people have spoken …
11.50am BST11.50am BST
11:5011:50
James Morris, the pollster who worked for Labour before the 2015 election, has posted three tweets this morning that may encourage Remain supporters.James Morris, the pollster who worked for Labour before the 2015 election, has posted three tweets this morning that may encourage Remain supporters.
1) BES & BMG found harder someone to contact, more likely they vote Remain. These ppl missing from most poll samples https://t.co/1OyjVpmVkK1) BES & BMG found harder someone to contact, more likely they vote Remain. These ppl missing from most poll samples https://t.co/1OyjVpmVkK
He is posting this tweet.He is posting this tweet.
Fascinating analysis by @wonkeymike @kevcunningham: Remainers harder to reach. Is another polling miss on the cards? pic.twitter.com/vFNiE6Pd1nFascinating analysis by @wonkeymike @kevcunningham: Remainers harder to reach. Is another polling miss on the cards? pic.twitter.com/vFNiE6Pd1n
2) There has been a 10 point increase in the proportion who think leaving will be bad for their finances. https://t.co/XmQADE11rm2) There has been a 10 point increase in the proportion who think leaving will be bad for their finances. https://t.co/XmQADE11rm
He is quoting this tweet.He is quoting this tweet.
Economy breakthrough for remain? 33% tell YouGov Brexit would make them worse off, up from 23% two weeks ago; 10% say better off, no changeEconomy breakthrough for remain? 33% tell YouGov Brexit would make them worse off, up from 23% two weeks ago; 10% say better off, no change
3) People rank the economy well ahead of immigration in determining their vote https://t.co/UzUPBOSENI3) People rank the economy well ahead of immigration in determining their vote https://t.co/UzUPBOSENI
He is quoting this tweet.He is quoting this tweet.
What is important in helping decide how to vote in #EUref? ComRes for @Independent & @thesundaypeople pic.twitter.com/fCkyleDr1jWhat is important in helping decide how to vote in #EUref? ComRes for @Independent & @thesundaypeople pic.twitter.com/fCkyleDr1j
Wouldnt be at all surprised if Remain do significantly better than their best final week poll.Wouldnt be at all surprised if Remain do significantly better than their best final week poll.
11.43am BST11.43am BST
11:4311:43
This is what will happen when the Commons gathers to pay tribute to Jo Cox this afternoon.This is what will happen when the Commons gathers to pay tribute to Jo Cox this afternoon.
Unusually, Jeremy Corbyn will speak before David Cameron.Unusually, Jeremy Corbyn will speak before David Cameron.
Jo Cox tributes at 2.30 will be led by Speaker, then Corbyn, Cameron and MPs, No 10 saysJo Cox tributes at 2.30 will be led by Speaker, then Corbyn, Cameron and MPs, No 10 says
11.18am BST11.18am BST
11:1811:18
Among those who have been using Twitter to say that they did not know Sayeeda Warsi was ever a Leave supporter in the first place has been Tony Gallagher, editor of the Sun.Among those who have been using Twitter to say that they did not know Sayeeda Warsi was ever a Leave supporter in the first place has been Tony Gallagher, editor of the Sun.
I had no idea Baroness Warsi was part of Leave campaign. None at allI had no idea Baroness Warsi was part of Leave campaign. None at all
Britain Stronger in Europe sources are pointing out that one of the papers that did identify her as in the Leave camp was, er, the Sun. On 7 June it called her a “Brexit-backer”. They say this is one of the articles that disproves what Nigel Farage was saying about Warsi’s conversion to Remain being bogus. (See 10.24am.) We posted another article identifying her as at one point a genuine Leave supporter earlier. (See 8.01am.)Britain Stronger in Europe sources are pointing out that one of the papers that did identify her as in the Leave camp was, er, the Sun. On 7 June it called her a “Brexit-backer”. They say this is one of the articles that disproves what Nigel Farage was saying about Warsi’s conversion to Remain being bogus. (See 10.24am.) We posted another article identifying her as at one point a genuine Leave supporter earlier. (See 8.01am.)
Here is the picture Warsi herself posted on Twitter last year showing her speaking at an event alongside Matthew Elliott. Elliott is now chief executive of Vote Leave, although in August last year, when this picture was taken, he was running Business for Britain, the organisation that morphed into Vote Leave when it was founded two months later.Here is the picture Warsi herself posted on Twitter last year showing her speaking at an event alongside Matthew Elliott. Elliott is now chief executive of Vote Leave, although in August last year, when this picture was taken, he was running Business for Britain, the organisation that morphed into Vote Leave when it was founded two months later.
The conversation has started!#EUreferendum w/ @DanHannanMEP @NazShahBfd @matthew_elliott @AmjadBashirMEP #Manchester pic.twitter.com/TxbVooj40oThe conversation has started!#EUreferendum w/ @DanHannanMEP @NazShahBfd @matthew_elliott @AmjadBashirMEP #Manchester pic.twitter.com/TxbVooj40o
10.46am BST10.46am BST
10:4610:46
Martin Fletcher, a former Times foreign correspondent, has written a very powerful critique of Boris Johnson on Facebook. It is worth reading in full.Martin Fletcher, a former Times foreign correspondent, has written a very powerful critique of Boris Johnson on Facebook. It is worth reading in full.
A fascinating insight into #Brexit and Boris Johnson, by his former colleague. pic.twitter.com/ilXXrykvaKA fascinating insight into #Brexit and Boris Johnson, by his former colleague. pic.twitter.com/ilXXrykvaK
10.24am BST10.24am BST
10:2410:24
Farage accuses Cameron of trying to exploit Jo Cox's death to help RemainFarage accuses Cameron of trying to exploit Jo Cox's death to help Remain
Here are more lines from Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in.Here are more lines from Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in.
What we are seeing here is the prime minister and the Remain campaign trying to conflate the actions of one crazed individual with the motives of half of Britain who think we should get back control of our borders and do it sensibly. And I think that’s quite wrong the way it’s been done ...What we are seeing here is the prime minister and the Remain campaign trying to conflate the actions of one crazed individual with the motives of half of Britain who think we should get back control of our borders and do it sensibly. And I think that’s quite wrong the way it’s been done ...
I think there are Remain camp supporters out there who are using this tragic death to try to give the impression that this isolated, horrific incident is somehow linked to arguments that have been made by myself, or Michael Gove or anybody else in this campaign. And frankly that is wrong.I think there are Remain camp supporters out there who are using this tragic death to try to give the impression that this isolated, horrific incident is somehow linked to arguments that have been made by myself, or Michael Gove or anybody else in this campaign. And frankly that is wrong.
Asked if he was accusing Cameron of opportunism, he replied:Asked if he was accusing Cameron of opportunism, he replied:
I think people are intelligent enough to make their minds up on that.I think people are intelligent enough to make their minds up on that.
This is the biggest put-up job I’ve ever seen. Number 10 put the line out, the Times swallow it hook, line and sinker and the broadcasters start reporting it. Baroness Warsi has been consistently abusive about everything I’ve said and done, and Ukip’s said and done, for the last few years. And I heard her interviewed earlier on this morning where she said she was campaigning for a change of Britain’s relationship [with the EU]. She never supported Britain leaving in the first place. It’s utter nonsense. She never was [a supporter]. In fact, Dan Hannan, who’s a friend of hers, the Conservative MEP, he invited her to join Muslims for Britain, he invited her to speak on platforms, and she refused. It’s a non story.This is the biggest put-up job I’ve ever seen. Number 10 put the line out, the Times swallow it hook, line and sinker and the broadcasters start reporting it. Baroness Warsi has been consistently abusive about everything I’ve said and done, and Ukip’s said and done, for the last few years. And I heard her interviewed earlier on this morning where she said she was campaigning for a change of Britain’s relationship [with the EU]. She never supported Britain leaving in the first place. It’s utter nonsense. She never was [a supporter]. In fact, Dan Hannan, who’s a friend of hers, the Conservative MEP, he invited her to join Muslims for Britain, he invited her to speak on platforms, and she refused. It’s a non story.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.58am BSTat 10.58am BST
10.05am BST10.05am BST
10:0510:05
Sayeeda Warsi has retweeted some of the vicious and racist tweets she has received since she announced she was backing Remain as examples of the “politics of hate”.Sayeeda Warsi has retweeted some of the vicious and racist tweets she has received since she announced she was backing Remain as examples of the “politics of hate”.
The vile reaction of people unhappy with my decision to leave #leave .Politics of hate must stop #uniteagainsthate pic.twitter.com/A86f4DpyolThe vile reaction of people unhappy with my decision to leave #leave .Politics of hate must stop #uniteagainsthate pic.twitter.com/A86f4Dpyol
9.39am BST
09:39
Here’s a Guardian video with Richard Branson making the case for Remain.
9.35am BST
09:35
The Times broke the story about Sayeeda Warsi last night, but it changed its front page after the first edition to tone down the headline. The second version is more accurate.
From turmoil and defection to division and walkout: how the Times rowed back on its Warsi scoop between editions pic.twitter.com/cXnf1b1UPF
9.28am BST
09:28
Here is another quote from Sayeeda Warsi on the Today programme earlier explaining why she is now backing Remain. She said:
This kind of nudge-nudge, wink-wink xenophobic racist campaign may be politically savvy or politically useful in the short term, but it causes long-term damage to communities.
The vision that me and other Brexiters who have been involved right from the outset, who had a positive outward-looking vision of what a Brexit vote might mean, unfortunately those voices have now been stifled and what we see is the divisive campaign which has resulted in people like me and others who are deeply Eurosceptic and want to see a reformed relationship feel that they now have to leave Leave.
9.23am BST
09:23
This is what John Longworth, the former director general of the British Chambers of Commerce and now a Vote Leave campaigner, told the Today programme in response to the news that the bosses of the car firms Toyota UK, Vauxhall, Jaguar Land Rover and BMW have backed Remain. Longworth said:
The auto industry is different from the rest of industry in the sense that it has a 10% tariff for cars from outside the EU.
The biggest power in the EU - Germany - exports way more cars to the UK than we do to them, so they are not going to allow the erection of tariffs because they would damage their own industry and shoot themselves in the foot.
Even if in a moment of madness they did, what’s the worst that can happen? German cars would become a little bit more expensive, we would buy a few less and would end up buying more British-produced cars.
Updated
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9.18am BST
09:18
Farage also repeated his claim that Sayeeda Warsi’s shift to Remain was a “put-up job”. He said that she had only ever called for a change in Britain’s relationship with the EU, not for full withdrawal. When Daniel Hannan, the Tory MEP, tried to get her to publicly back Leave, she refused, Farage said. (See 7.35am.)
9.15am BST
09:15
On LBC Nigel Farage has just claimed that when he launched his “Breaking Point” poster on Thursday there was “no controversy at all”. He suggested it only became controversial after the killing of Jo Cox.
He is wrong. Before Cox was killed Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said the poster was “disgusting”. It was also condemned before the attack on Cox by the Green party and by Britain Stronger in Europe.
9.05am BST
09:05
And on Twitter Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, claims that Sayeeda Warsi’s shift is a Downing Street-inspired stunt.
Baroness Warsi 'defection' is a typical Number 10 put-up job. She never wanted to leave the EU.
Farage is now starting a half-hour phone-in on LBC.
Updated
at 9.15am BST
9.03am BST
09:03
Andrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
On Twitter the Tory Leave backlash against Sayeeda Warsi continues. Here are more tweets about her from Conservative MPs.
Surprised to hear that Baroness Warsi has so called defected to the in campaign; didn't realise she was #brexit. Never seen her do anything!
I think it's fair to say that most people are wetting themselves laughing at the Warsi 'defection' that never is 😂 #VoteLeave
Remember Sayeeda Warsi has a history of resigning.She quit the Government over Middle East policy.
From my experience working with her Sayeeda Warsi is self obsessed and never a team player. She's running out of things to flounce out of
8.45am BST
08:45
Libby Brooks
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme this morning.
She dismissed the suggestion that there was any contradiction between her positions on the independence referendum in 2014 and the EU referendum:
That argument rests on the assumption that Scotland in the UK is somehow the same as the UK in Europe.
She also insisted that the SNP has been “an enthusiastic campaigner for Scotland and the UK to remain in Europe”, despite criticisms that their campaign has been lukewarm at best.
She added that her message to supporters who saw this referendum as a means of triggering a second independence referendum was clear: vote remain.
What I’ve also said to independence supporters is that if they are making a judgment on what makes a second independence referendum more likely, that will only arise if Scotland is taken out of the EU against its will.
Asked about her view on Turkey’s membership of the EU, she said it was “pie in the sky” that the country was in a position to join and that this was “one of the serious dishonest its at the heart of the Leave campaign”:
I don’t see a situation arising in the near future where I would welcome Turkey joining the EU.
8.36am BST
08:36
Graeme Wearden
The London stock market is rallying this morning, as investors react to the opinion polls showing the Remain campaign regaining ground.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index has jumped by 134 points, or over 2%, during Nigel Farage’s interview.
That’s its highest level in 10 days, recovering the losses it suffered after polls put the Leave campaign ahead.
Bank shares are leading the rally, with Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group both up 6%. Financial stocks had suffered recently from fears that Britain’s economy would suffer a Brexit-shock of the public vote to leave.
The pound has hit a two-week high this morning; up two cents against the US dollar to $1.4591.
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets believe that the polls show a “pull to the status-quo’.
Our business liveblog has more details:
Related: Pound and shares soar as Brexit fears ease – business live