Sir Richard Branson warns leaving EU would be ‘very damaging’ for Britain

Virgin founder says he hopes 'sense' will prevail ahead of referendum

Sir Richard Branson (PA)

Sir Richard Branson has added his voice to the Brexit debate on Friday by warning leaving the European Union could be a “very damaging” move for Britain and could start the break-up of the EU.

The Virgin founder reaffirmed his pro-EU stance as he prepared to unveil Virgin Galactic's latest spacecraft. He said it would be a “very sad day” if Britons voted to leave on referendum day and told Sky News he hoped “sense will prevail”.

“I think it would be a very, very, very, very sad day if British people voted to leave, I think it would be very, very damaging for Great Britain. I love Great Britain and I think it would be the start of most likely the break-up of the European Union.”

The 65-year-old highlighted that the European Union has avoided any wars within the bloc since the Second World War.

“In the Second World War, my father fought again the Germans. In the First World War, my grandfather fought, my great-grandfather fought 20 years before that.

He added: “Having a European Union - there are so many benefits and I just hope sense will prevail when it comes to having the vote on it."

Additional reporting by PA