Brexit would be ‘sheer folly’, warns former PM John Major

Former prime minister Sir John Major has launched a scathing attack on the ­Eurosceptic campaign for portraying a “fantasy” image of Britain while ignoring the risks of crippling the EU.

Sir John attacked Brexit ­campaigners’ pursuit of ­independence as “sheer folly” and “verging on the reckless” ahead of the In-Out referendum on 23 June.

“I cannot believe that any sensible Briton wishes to divide Europe, and thus divide the West,” the Tory grandee said, as he branded attempts to tear up Britain’s existing bespoke deal as “perverse”.

Sir John accused some in the Leave camp of ignoring and even obscuring “facts” that did not sit well with their objective, including statements from European leaders that there will be no trade deals without free movement and an invoice for access to the single market.

Brexit campaigners have claimed that the remaining 27 EU members would be eager to arrange new trade deals with the UK in negotiations where Britain could have the upper hand.