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EU referendum live: David Beckham comes out in favour of remain EU referendum live: Boris Johnson 'profoundly unhappy' with Ukip poster
(35 minutes later)
10.35am BST
10:35
Victoria Beckham backs Remain too
Victoria Beckham is backing Remain too.
At least, that is the only way of interpreting her tweet.
So proud of David #remain 🇬🇧 x vb https://t.co/WUrIPnkhqb
10.33am BST
10:33
Today the supreme court is hearing an appeal from Theresa May, the home secretary, against a court of appeal ruling saying she cannot remove an Italian convicted killer from the country. In a statement issued by Vote Leave, Dominic Raab, the justice minister, said this illustrates how EU rules are a threat to public safety. He explained:
This case shines a light on the skewed moral compass at the heart of EU rules on free movement. An EU national convicted of brutally killing someone in this country, by hammering and strangling them to death, can’t be removed on the basis of the conviction by a UK court. It’s dangerous and undemocratic. The prime minister is absolutely right to describe the legal position as “complete madness”. The only way to restore some sanity is to vote leave and take back control of our borders on 23 June.
10.24am BST
10:24
Tonight we’re going to see Ruth Davidson, the pro-Remain Scottish Conservative leader, going head to head against Boris Johnson on the BBC’s EU debate. There are four other participants too, but the Davidson/Johnson clash is much anticipated, because she is not a Johnson fan and she is expected to challenge him strongly.
According an article in today’s Telegraph, she feels so strongly about him that she thinks that, if he became Conservative party leader, the Scottish party might have to cut links with London and decare itself independent.
Senior sources close to the Scottish Tory leader said she thinks the former Mayor of London would be toxic to her party’s electoral hopes north of the Border if he succeeds David Cameron in the wake of a vote for Brexit on Thursday.
They said Ms Davidson predicts the Scottish Conservatives would have to “do a Murdo”, a reference to her former leadership rival Murdo Fraser’s controversial proposal to break away from the UK Tories and form a new right-wing party.
Although they did not specify the source of her antipathy towards Mr Johnson, she used an outspoken newspaper opinion piece to claim he had the same “brazen chauvinistic style” as Alex Salmond.
10.15am BST
10:15
David Cameron was on ITV’s Lorraine show talking about David Beckham’s Remain endorsement. He told the programme:
There was a very moving statement today from David Beckham talking about his children and saying how effectively, what he said to me was, ‘You can’t win in Europe, unless you’re on the pitch’.
And that’s true. I worry about that as prime minister, I know that we sit around the table and make decisions about security and safety and fighting terrorism and all the rest of it, fighting climate change. And if we leave they don’t stop meeting and making decisions that affect us, but they’ll be making decisions about us but without us in the room and that would be bad for Britain.
10.04am BST10.04am BST
10:0410:04
Boris Johnson’s LBC phone-in is over.Boris Johnson’s LBC phone-in is over.
Here are over two of the key lines.Here are over two of the key lines.
I can’t tell you the pressure that Project Fear and Remain put on senior business people not to articulate their views. One way or another, everyone has an interest in keeping friendly with government ... I do not wish in any way to be disparaging or critical of my friends in government, but it is well known that there is an operation in Downing Street. You will get a call from certain gentlemen and they will say ‘We want to continue to have contracts with you’, or ‘It’s very important we want to continue friendly relations’, there’s the honours system, all this kind of thing ... There’s a bit of leaning on. And the heroism of people therefore like [Anthony] Bamford and [James] Dyson [who have come out for Leave] is very remarkable.I can’t tell you the pressure that Project Fear and Remain put on senior business people not to articulate their views. One way or another, everyone has an interest in keeping friendly with government ... I do not wish in any way to be disparaging or critical of my friends in government, but it is well known that there is an operation in Downing Street. You will get a call from certain gentlemen and they will say ‘We want to continue to have contracts with you’, or ‘It’s very important we want to continue friendly relations’, there’s the honours system, all this kind of thing ... There’s a bit of leaning on. And the heroism of people therefore like [Anthony] Bamford and [James] Dyson [who have come out for Leave] is very remarkable.
I did not like it. It seemed to saying that these were bad people coming to our country. That seemed to be the message. And I felt profoundly unhappy with it.I did not like it. It seemed to saying that these were bad people coming to our country. That seemed to be the message. And I felt profoundly unhappy with it.
9.45am BST9.45am BST
09:4509:45
Q: Should George Osborne stay as chancellor, if we vote Remain or Leave.Q: Should George Osborne stay as chancellor, if we vote Remain or Leave.
Of course, says Johnson.Of course, says Johnson.
He says if we vote Leave, “all the fear will stop - people will realise it was all nonsense”.He says if we vote Leave, “all the fear will stop - people will realise it was all nonsense”.
9.44am BST9.44am BST
09:4409:44
Johnson says the UK could have a free trade deal with the EU that would be beneficial to both sides.Johnson says the UK could have a free trade deal with the EU that would be beneficial to both sides.
There is a difference between free trade and the single market. The single market has morphed into a federal superstate, he says.There is a difference between free trade and the single market. The single market has morphed into a federal superstate, he says.
9.42am BST9.42am BST
09:4209:42
Johnson says he refuses to accept Osborne has no contingency plans for BrexitJohnson says he refuses to accept Osborne has no contingency plans for Brexit
Q: George Osborne says he has no plan for Friday if he votes for Brexit. If that is true, it is disgraceful. He should resign.Q: George Osborne says he has no plan for Friday if he votes for Brexit. If that is true, it is disgraceful. He should resign.
Johnson says he has thought about this a lot. He thinks Osborne is not telling the truth.Johnson says he has thought about this a lot. He thinks Osborne is not telling the truth.
He says Osborne is claiming there is no plan for Brexit because he is engaged in Project Fear.He says Osborne is claiming there is no plan for Brexit because he is engaged in Project Fear.
9.33am BST9.33am BST
09:3309:33
Johnson condemns Ukip’s ‘Breaking Point’ poster, saying it implied refugees were 'bad people'Johnson condemns Ukip’s ‘Breaking Point’ poster, saying it implied refugees were 'bad people'
Q: Can you in all conscience accept votes that have been generated by Ukip’s scurrilous campaign?Q: Can you in all conscience accept votes that have been generated by Ukip’s scurrilous campaign?
Johnson says Vote Leave has nothing to do with Ukip’s campaign. As mayor of London he fought for the rights of immigrants.Johnson says Vote Leave has nothing to do with Ukip’s campaign. As mayor of London he fought for the rights of immigrants.
Q: What is your view of Ukip’s campaign?Q: What is your view of Ukip’s campaign?
Johnson says he only wants to talk about his campaign.Johnson says he only wants to talk about his campaign.
Q: What was your view of the Ukip poster?Q: What was your view of the Ukip poster?
Johnson says he did not like it. It made him profoundly unhappy. It implied these were bad people.Johnson says he did not like it. It made him profoundly unhappy. It implied these were bad people.
He says that it is important to take back control of immigration to neutralise extremism.He says that it is important to take back control of immigration to neutralise extremism.
He says he does not like some of the “xenophobic undertones” in the Ukip campaign.He says he does not like some of the “xenophobic undertones” in the Ukip campaign.
Q: So would Farage get a job in a Johnson government?Q: So would Farage get a job in a Johnson government?
Johnson says there is not going to be such a government. But he does not say no.Johnson says there is not going to be such a government. But he does not say no.
Johnson says he does not approve of people who have been in the UK for a long time being kicked out of the country.Johnson says he does not approve of people who have been in the UK for a long time being kicked out of the country.
9.25am BST9.25am BST
09:2509:25
Johnson says it is interesting to see that Labour is now backing changes to the free movement of labour rules in the EU.Johnson says it is interesting to see that Labour is now backing changes to the free movement of labour rules in the EU.
9.24am BST9.24am BST
09:2409:24
Q: I am tempted to vote for Brexit. But it will be in the EU’s interests to ensure we fail, because if we succeeed, it will be the end of the EU.Q: I am tempted to vote for Brexit. But it will be in the EU’s interests to ensure we fail, because if we succeeed, it will be the end of the EU.
Johnson says it is not in the EU’s interests to give us “punishment beatings”.Johnson says it is not in the EU’s interests to give us “punishment beatings”.
9.20am BST9.20am BST
09:2009:20
Q: If Britain votes for Brexit, will you back David Cameron to stay on as prime minister?Q: If Britain votes for Brexit, will you back David Cameron to stay on as prime minister?
Yes, says Johnson.Yes, says Johnson.
He says he thinks Cameron would be in a strong position to negotiate with the EU.He says he thinks Cameron would be in a strong position to negotiate with the EU.
9.16am BST9.16am BST
09:1609:16
Johnson says he will apologise to public if Brexit leads to a recessionJohnson says he will apologise to public if Brexit leads to a recession
Q: If you vote for Brexit and the economy goes into recession, will you go on TV and apologise?Q: If you vote for Brexit and the economy goes into recession, will you go on TV and apologise?
Johnson says of course he will.Johnson says of course he will.
But he says he does not think London, or Britain, has anything to fear from coming out of the EU.But he says he does not think London, or Britain, has anything to fear from coming out of the EU.
9.12am BST9.12am BST
09:1209:12
Boris Johnson's LBC phone-inBoris Johnson's LBC phone-in
Boris Johnson, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, is hosting an LBC phone-in now.Boris Johnson, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, is hosting an LBC phone-in now.
You can watch it here.You can watch it here.
Asked about today’s comments from George Soros, Johnson says the Remain campaign’s “Project Fear” tactics have not worked.Asked about today’s comments from George Soros, Johnson says the Remain campaign’s “Project Fear” tactics have not worked.
Johnson says it is better to pay attention to Anthony Bamford, the JCB boss, than George Soros. Bamford creates jobs, he says. He says Soros is just an expert in market speculation.Johnson says it is better to pay attention to Anthony Bamford, the JCB boss, than George Soros. Bamford creates jobs, he says. He says Soros is just an expert in market speculation.
Johnson also cites James Dyson, who is also pro-Leave.Johnson also cites James Dyson, who is also pro-Leave.
Q: So why don’t we hear more from these people?Q: So why don’t we hear more from these people?
Johnson says there is a Number 10 operation to put pressure on people. He implies that people are told they will lose contracts if they do not support the government line.Johnson says there is a Number 10 operation to put pressure on people. He implies that people are told they will lose contracts if they do not support the government line.
9.02am BST9.02am BST
09:0209:02
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire.
Following David Beckham’s decision to come out for Remain, it is worth recalling one of the conclusions that emerged from focus groups about the EU referendum hosted by the Guardian. My colleagues Heather Stewart and Anushka Asthana wrote up the findings, and here is one of the 10 things they learnt.Following David Beckham’s decision to come out for Remain, it is worth recalling one of the conclusions that emerged from focus groups about the EU referendum hosted by the Guardian. My colleagues Heather Stewart and Anushka Asthana wrote up the findings, and here is one of the 10 things they learnt.
Barack Obama, who was wheeled out weeks ago by No 10, was viewed as convincing by remainers – but his involvement was resented by leavers. “Obama’s not even in Britain so what does he care, what does he know?” said one. But if telly naturalist or David Attenborough or footballer David Beckham were to venture an opinion on Brexit, our focus groups suggest the public would be all ears.Barack Obama, who was wheeled out weeks ago by No 10, was viewed as convincing by remainers – but his involvement was resented by leavers. “Obama’s not even in Britain so what does he care, what does he know?” said one. But if telly naturalist or David Attenborough or footballer David Beckham were to venture an opinion on Brexit, our focus groups suggest the public would be all ears.
David Cameron has welcomed the endorsement.David Cameron has welcomed the endorsement.
David Beckham is clear: we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone https://t.co/oRuRB4PZgq pic.twitter.com/aDHdrlhZ1ODavid Beckham is clear: we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone https://t.co/oRuRB4PZgq pic.twitter.com/aDHdrlhZ1O
8.56am BST8.56am BST
08:5608:56
David Beckham backs RemainDavid Beckham backs Remain
I’m going to avoid all footballing metaphors, although no one else will, and simply let you know that David Beckham has declared himself in favour of remain:I’m going to avoid all footballing metaphors, although no one else will, and simply let you know that David Beckham has declared himself in favour of remain:
I’m passionate about my country and whatever the result of Thursday’s referendum, we will always be Great. Each side has the right to their opinion and that should always be respected whatever the outcome of the European referendum.I’m passionate about my country and whatever the result of Thursday’s referendum, we will always be Great. Each side has the right to their opinion and that should always be respected whatever the outcome of the European referendum.
I played my best years at my boyhood club, Manchester United. I grew up with a core group of young British players … but we were a better and more successful team because of a Danish goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, the leadership of an Irishman Roy Keane and the skill of a Frenchman in Eric Cantona.I played my best years at my boyhood club, Manchester United. I grew up with a core group of young British players … but we were a better and more successful team because of a Danish goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, the leadership of an Irishman Roy Keane and the skill of a Frenchman in Eric Cantona.
I was also privileged to play and live in Madrid, Milan and Paris with teammates from all around Europe and the world …I was also privileged to play and live in Madrid, Milan and Paris with teammates from all around Europe and the world …
We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone. For these reasons I am voting to Remain.We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone. For these reasons I am voting to Remain.
These are just the edited highlights (gah, sorry). For the full statement, see here.These are just the edited highlights (gah, sorry). For the full statement, see here.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.18am BSTat 9.18am BST