'Follow your heart and not scaremonger Cameron': Michael Gove twists the knife into his friend as he urges voters to defy 'sneering elites' and the 'undeserving rich' - and tell the EU 'You're fired' 

  • Justice Secretary appeared on Sky News EU referendum debate show
  • Gove lashes 'sneering' elites and 'undeserving rich' supporting EU ties
  • Accused David Cameron of trying to 'scare' the public into staying in 
  • Urged voters to stop sending Eurocrats money and tell them 'you're fired'  
  • Comes day after PM was berated over immigration and Project Fear tactics

Michael Gove has launched a savage attack on the 'sneering' elites trying to keep Britain in the EU as he urged voters to 'take back control'.

The Justice Secretary dismissed dire warnings about recession and job losses from organisations such as the Treasury and International Monetary Fund, saying the public was 'sick' of getting told what to do.

He said the EU was a 'job destroying machine' and insisted taxpayers' money should be going to the NHS rather than 'invincibly arrogant' Eurocrats.

Mr Gove also accused David Cameron of trying to 'scare' the public with blood-curdling threats about the consequences of Brexit - suggesting the Prime Minister thought we were 'too stupid' to survive outside the Brussels club.

Michael Gove faces questions from Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during the referendum special

But Mr Gove was branded an 'Oxbridge Trump' by Sky News political editor Faisal Islam, and struggled to defend the Leave campaign's claims that £350million was sent to the EU every week. 

The clashes came as Mr Gove appeared on the second of the channel's referendum special, following his close friend Mr Cameron's bruising experience last night.

Mr Gove admitted before taking to the stage that he was 'nervous' about the event, which saw him grilled by members of the public after being interviewed by Mr Islam.

Mr Gove said many of the institutions backing our EU membership had called for the UK to join the euro and failed to predict the financial crash.

'I think that the people of this country have had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong,' he said. 

'I am glad that all these organisations are not on my side. Margaret Thatcher said about economists, the great thing is that economists are fine but you mustn't inhale.

'I prefer to take the view of businesspeople who are actually generating jobs and creating wealth.' 

Mr Gove condemned Mr Cameron's Remain campaign for ignoring the concerns of ordinary Britons.

He said he was on the side of the 'working' people rather than the 'undeserving rich' who had 'done very well' out of the system.

Mr Gove was grilled by a member of the studio audience over 'lies' by the Leave campaign

Mr Gove was grilled by a member of the studio audience over 'lies' by the Leave campaign

 But the Cabinet minster insisted that the Brexiteers were using figures with 'context'

 But the Cabinet minster insisted that the Brexiteers were using figures with 'context'

Asked whether he could guarantee no-one would lose their job as a result of Brexit, Mr Gove said: 'I can't guarantee every person currently in work in their current job will keep their job.'

To loud applause from the studio audience, he added: 'Seventy-three members of the European Parliament will be losing their job. Our European Commissioner will be losing his job and as far as I'm concerned I wish them well in the private sector.'

Mr Gove dismissed a warning from JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon that Brexit would be a 'terrible deal' for Britain and cost banking jobs.

'Jamie Dimon and JP Morgan are contributing millions to the Remain campaign because they do very nicely thank you out of the EU,' he said.

'Banks like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs spend millions lobbying the EU to rig the market in their favour.'

Mr Gove said: 'I'm not interested in defending the position of those who already have money, power and privilege... We have in the EU a market rigged in favour of the rich and stacked against the poor and I think that's wrong.'

He repeated his position that after Brexit, Britain could take part in a 'friendly co-operation arrangement' with the remaining EU and participate in a 'free trade zone... which stretches from Iceland to Istanbul'.

Mr Gove was challenged by audience member Sam Shabbir on the Leave campaign's attitude to immigration 

Mr Gove was challenged by audience member Sam Shabbir on the Leave campaign's attitude to immigration 

As soon as the UK voted to leave, it could pass legislation to limit the powers of the European courts, enabling it to 'keep out criminals and kick out terrorists' and take back money from multi-nationals which used EU law to evade British taxes, he said.

But he was accused by Mr Islam of 'importing' Trump-style 'post-truth politics' to Britain by pursuing a claim the Government sends £350million a week to Brussels.

He said: 'It is wrong of you to say that people who want democracy to be restored are following in the footsteps of Donald Trump.

'Sneering condescension toward people who believe in democracy – that discredits those on the Remain side of this campaign.'

The Justice Secretary insisted the referendum battle was a fight between ordinary people and the 'elites' in Britain.

Fellow Brexit supporter Boris Johnson posted a series of bizarre tweets during Mr Gove's appearance

Fellow Brexit supporter Boris Johnson posted a series of bizarre tweets during Mr Gove's appearance

The former London Mayor repeatedly referred to the Justice Secretary as 'the Gover' on Twitter

The former London Mayor repeatedly referred to the Justice Secretary as 'the Gover' on Twitter

Mr Johnson said Mr Gove had made a 'great appeal' to round of the programme 

Mr Johnson said Mr Gove had made a 'great appeal' to round of the programme 

He lambasted the 'invincible arrogance' of Eurocrats, and adopted the catchphrase of Lord Sugar from the BBC's The Apprentice - the US version of which was presented by Mr Trump.

'These are people who have seen the euro collapse. These are people who are presiding over a migration crisis on their borders, and yet do they ever acknowledge that they need to change? No,' he said. 

'Unelected, unaccountable elites, it's time to say 'you're fired' - we're going to take back control,' he said.

Mr Gove said the EU was 'not a democracy' and almost nobody could name the 'five presidents' in charge.

He said: 'It's run by people in the commission and the court who none of us elected.'

The Lord Chancellor added: 'The most powerful symbol in our democracy is not Parliament – it's the removal van that appears outside Downing Street every five or 10 years.'

Mr Gove said he stood by Leave's claim that Britain sent £350million a week to the EU - a figure which has been criticised by the Treasury Select Committee and other respected bodies.

But he admitted the 'context' was that much of the money was returned through the UK's rebate and subsidies for poorer areas. 'We get some money back through the rebate ... but the truth is that we cannot count on that rebate,' he said.

MICHAEL GOVE'S BEST LINES 

ON 'SNEERING' REMAIN SUPPORTERS

'It is wrong of you to say that people who want democracy to be restored are following in the footsteps of Donald Trump.

'Sneering condescension toward people who believe in democracy – that discredits those on the Remain side of this campaign.'

ON FIRING THE EUROCRATS 

'It's the invincible arrogance of Europe's elites that gets me, these are people who have seen the euro collapse, these are the people presiding over a migration crisis on their borders and yet do they ever acknowledge that they need to change? No. They say they need more integration, more of our money, more control over this country.

'I think it is time we said to these people who are incapable of acknowledging that they have ever got anything wrong, I'm sorry you've had your day.

'Unelected unaccountable elites, I'm afraid it is time to say you're fired.'

ON IMMIGRATION

'I think we should take back control so people like you and others can debate and decide how many people can come here so we can attract people here who can strengthen our economy – and yes, provide a safe haven and refuge to people fleeing persecution.

'That's is the British way and the only way we can ensure we have that policy is if we vote to leave the European Union.'

ON BEING ON THE SIDE OF WORKERS 

'I'm not interested in defending the position of those who already have money, power and privilege... We have in the EU a market rigged in favour of the rich and stacked against the poor and I think that's wrong.'

ON EXPERTS GETTING IT WRONG 

'I think that the people of this country have had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong.

'I am glad that all these organisations are not on my side.' 

ON BRITAIN BEING 'TOO STUPID' 

'Many of those who are arguing we should remain are trying to frighten you by saying that it would be impossible for Britain to succeed. 

'They are saying that Britain is too small, too poor and we are all too stupid to be able to succeed on the outside.

'I comprehensively reject that.'  

ON MAKING A TORY LEADERSHIP BID 

'I'm absolutely not. The one thing I can tell you is that there are lots of talented people who could be Prime Minister after David Cameron, but count me out.' 

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The Justice Secretary said billions of pounds of the contributions could be diverted to the NHS if we decided to leave.

'I think that our NHS will be stronger if we leave the EU and then used some of the money to that we get back from the EU in the superb service that we get every day,' he said. 

Laying into Mr Cameron over his performance yesterday, Mr Gove said it had been an 'exercise in trying to scare you into not following through on what you know in your heart is right'.

He said the In campaign had been playing the 'fear card' throughout the battle so far.

Mr Gove said quitting the EU would allow Britain to have a 'truly inclusive, non-racist' immigration policy.

He said: 'This is the greatest country in the world and it's because I think this country is so great and because I believe it's people are so wonderful, I want them to control who comes here and the numbers who come here.

'I trust them to be generous, wise, humane and right. At the moment control of our immigration policy isn't in the hands of the British people.

'I think we should take back control so people like you and others can debate and decide how many people can come here so we can attract people here who can strengthen our economy – and yes, provide a safe haven and refuge to people fleeing persecution.

'That's is the British way and the only way we can ensure we have that policy is if we vote to leave the European Union.'

Mr Gove was challenged by audience member Sam Shabbir about remarks made by Nigel Farage about the way the country was changing.

She said it made migrant communities feel 'ostracised' from Britain.

Mr Gove said he could not speak for the Ukip leader but admitted: 'I can't agree with that.' 

Andrew Carnegie, who runs a small business making parts for intensive care units, asked Mr Gove to set out a detailed economic plan for the UK's future outside of the EU.

He said: 'I think the answer is there is no economic plan. It appears to me that you are asking people to vote for a divorce and sort out the financial settlement afterwards and that makes no sense to me.

'With all due respect Mr Gove, it appears to me it's almost like a First World War general. You are waving the flag, you are saying 'over the top men' but you have no idea what's on the frontline or what the casualty rate will be in the conflicts to come.'

Mr Gove replied: 'It's certainly an arresting image, the First World War image. What I'm putting my faith in is the ingenuity, creativity and the strength of the British people.

'Many of those who are arguing we should remain are trying to frighten you by saying that it would be impossible for Britain to succeed. 

'They are saying that Britain is too small, too poor and we are all too stupid to be able to succeed on the outside.

'I comprehensively reject that.'

The Conservative Cabinet minister raised the prospect that losing the shackles of EU rules on subsidies would allow the government to rescue the country's stricken steel industry.

'We could take back control of the support that we give to industry,' he added. 

Asked if he was using the referendum battle as the springboard for a future Tory leadership bid, Mr Gove replied: 'I'm absolutely not. The one thing I can tell you is that there are lots of talented people who could be Prime Minister after David Cameron, but count me out.'

Told he was a Tory poster boy, he said: 'The one thing I would recommend is whatever posters you put up on your wall, do not put one up of me.

'I'm not the sort of person that you want to have when you wake up on your bedroom wall.' 

Mr Gove and Mr Islam were involved in increasingly tetchy exchanges during the interview

Mr Gove and Mr Islam were involved in increasingly tetchy exchanges during the interview

The Justice Secretary denied that he was using the referendum campaign as a springboard for a Tory leadership bid

The Justice Secretary denied that he was using the referendum campaign as a springboard for a Tory leadership bid

Both the Remain and Leave sides are hoping that the televised events during the last three weeks of the referendum battle could swing the vote their way.

But Mr Cameron has been heavily criticised for refusing to take part in any head-to-head debates - instead merely agreeing to the Question Time-style programmes.

Mr Cameron was mauled by audience members over his failure to tackle immigration, his Project Fear tactics and 'waffling' last night.

The Prime Minister conceded that inflows from Europe - which amounted to 184,000 last year - were 'challenging'.

He refused to say when he would achieve his long-standing target for slashing net migration overall from the current level of 333,000 to below 100,000. But he insisted that cutting ties with Brussels was not the answer.

Mr Cameron also urged voters to 'look our children, our grandchildren in the eye' before making a decision and not 'roll the dice' with their future. 

Mr Gove said 'sneering' elites were trying to keep Britain in the Brussels club

Mr Gove said 'sneering' elites were trying to keep Britain in the Brussels club

The appeal came as Mr Cameron - who has long been accused of tightly controlling his contact with ordinary members of the public - faced a series of fiery interventions during the first big televised event of the referendum battle.

Mr Cameron said the EU often drove him 'crazy', and was 'not perfect'.

But he insisted Britons were not 'quitters' and leaving would result in a decade of uncertainty.  

He accused Brexit campaigners of repeatedly saying it was 'all going to be okay' rather than spelling out what the country would look like after a Leave vote.

He said 'uncertainty' and 'shock' would hit the economy and prices in the shops would end up being higher.

Mr Cameron clashed with Mr Islam over the PM's claims that leaving the EU would bring 'war and genocide' back to Europe and trigger an economic recession in the UK.

The journalist drew laughter and applause from the studio audience as he asked the PM: 'What comes first: World War Three or the global Brexit recession?' 

Soraya Bouazzaoui, a second generation Moroccan immigrant from Romford who has just finished an English Literature degree at Solent University, challenged the PM on whether Turkey would be allowed to join the EU.

She asked: 'I've strongly been wanting to vote to stay in the EU but to be honest the entire campaign has been a complete shambles for it; I've seen nothing but scaremongering, I've seen no valid fact at all, I've seen no pros and cons.'

When Mr Cameron tried to respond by deploying broad arguments for staying in the EU - saying it was important to stay in to 'get things done in the world – Ms Bouazzaoui interrupted by telling the PM: 'You're not answering my question'.

After the programme the student said she had wanted to give Mr Cameron a 'taste of his own medicine' after he spent six years being 'dishonest' with the UK public. 

Justice Secretary Michael Gove, seen right, arrives for the televised special at the Sky News studios tonight

Justice Secretary Michael Gove, seen right, arrives for the televised special at the Sky News studios tonight

 

Michael Gove slams 'depressing' Remain campaign and clashes with Faisal Islam over the 'pain' caused to his own father and the 'majority of people' by the EU  

Michael Gove clashed with Faisal Islam on his personal back story after claiming the EU destroyed his father's fishing business.

Mr Gove suggested David Cameron's Remain campaign painted a 'depressing' response to the problems and accused Mr Islam of dismissing the concerns.

And he claimed the 'majority of people' suffered from EU membership via low wages, 'hollowed out communities' and pressure on public services.

But Mr Islam replied: 'I saw my father lose his job too. You are not unique in that, Mr Gove, you have no special moral authority.'

Michael Gove and Faisal Islam engaged in tetchy exchanges over claims by the Justice Secretary that the 'majority of people' suffer as a result of the EU  

Michael Gove and Faisal Islam engaged in tetchy exchanges over claims by the Justice Secretary that the 'majority of people' suffer as a result of the EU  

In an increasingly tetchy exchange, Mr Gove told the interviewer: 'I'm absolutely not unique. I'm one of many who have seen their parents and their friends lose their jobs, lose their income, lose their livelihood because of the European Union.

'Do not skate over their misery. Don't dismiss the pain that they've had. Don't belittle the hurt that has been caused by the job-destroying machine that is the European Union.'

Mr Gove added: 'You're on the side of the elites, I'm on the side of the people.' 

In an angry exchanges over Mr Gove's endorsement of the £350 million figure, Mr Islam told him: 'You have imported this Trump campaigning to the mother of all parliaments.'

Under pressure from Mr Islam, Mr Gove said he was 'happy' to have the claim independently audited.

But he hit back: 'I think it is wrong of you to say that people who want our democracy restored and believe Britain should be a self-governing nation are people who are following in the footsteps of Donald Trump.

'It is that sort of sneering condescension towards people who believe in democracy that discredits those on the Remain side of the campaign.'

Mr Gove denounced the EU as a 'job-destroying machine' and insisted that, far from harming employment, Brexit would lead to 'more jobs, higher wages and a stronger manufacturing base'. 

 

You're like a First World War general! Michael Gove is accused of failing to come up with a proper plan for Brexit in tricky TV clash

Michael Gove was accused of being like a First World War general sending his men over the top with no idea what was on the other side as he faced a public grilling on the EU referendum.

The Brexit campaigner's failure to set out an economic plan for Britain pulling out of the 28-member bloc was likened by a voter to military top brass ordering out the troops without any idea of the casualty rate to come.

But in a more flattering assessment, one member of the audience at the Sky News EU: In Or Out? referendum set piece said the Justice Secretary was the 'poster boy' for the Tory backbenchers and pressed him on his leadership ambitions.

MIchael Gove was accused of behaving like a World War I general sending troops over the top with little to no idea of what would happen next

MIchael Gove was accused of behaving like a World War I general sending troops over the top with little to no idea of what would happen next

Andrew Carnegie, who runs a small business making parts for intensive care units, asked Mr Gove to set out a detailed economic plan for the UK's future outside of the EU.

He said: 'I think the answer is there is no economic plan. It appears to me that you are asking people to vote for a divorce and sort out the financial settlement afterwards and that makes no sense to me.

'With all due respect Mr Gove, it appears to me it's almost like a First World War general. You are waving the flag, you are saying 'over the top men' but you have no idea what's on the frontline or what the casualty rate will be in the conflicts to come.'

Audience member Andrew Carnegie accused the Justice Secretary of having no economic plan to back up his Brexit vision 

Audience member Andrew Carnegie accused the Justice Secretary of having no economic plan to back up his Brexit vision 

Mr Gove replied: 'It's certainly an arresting image, the First World War image. What I'm putting my faith in is the ingenuity, creativity and the strength of the British people.

'Many of those who are arguing we should remain are trying to frighten you by saying that it would be impossible for Britain to succeed. They are saying that Britain is too small, too poor and we are all too stupid to be able to succeed on the outside.

'I comprehensively reject that.'

MICHAEL GOVE: THE INTELLECTUAL HEAVYWEIGHT OF VOTE LEAVE

Michael Gove is regarded as one of the deepest thinkers in government.

His decision to join efforts to cut ties with Brussels came despite his close personal friendship with David Cameron.

Mr Gove, another member of Vote Leave's core campaign committee, has mainly been deployed for set-piece speeches, where he has added intellectual weight to the campaign. 

However, while widely liked at Westminster Mr Gove is believed to polarise opinion in the country after a controversial spell as Education Secretary.

Mr Cameron shifted him from that high-profile role shortly before the general election for fear he would turn off voters.

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You liar! IDS savages 'insincere' Cameron over EU immigration claims 

Iain Duncan Smith has launched a furious attack on David Cameron for 'deceiving' the public over what powers the government has to curb EU immigration.

In another escalation of Tory tensions over the referendum, the former Cabinet minister accused the Prime Minister of being 'insincere'.

The bitter rowing came after Mr Cameron was taken to task over his failure to cut flows during the first big televised event of the campaign.

The premier conceded that the level of net migration was 'challenging' during the Sky News programme last night - but refused to say when he might be able to hit his target of under 100,000 a year.

A defiant David Cameron (pictured on ITV's Good Morning Britain show) insisted this morning that leaving the EU would be a 'terrible way' to cut immigration - the morning after he was savaged by the public live on TV for 'waffling' and 'scaremongering' over the consequences of Brexit

A defiant David Cameron (pictured on ITV's Good Morning Britain show) insisted this morning that leaving the EU would be a 'terrible way' to cut immigration - the morning after he was savaged by the public live on TV for 'waffling' and 'scaremongering' over the consequences of Brexit

Figures last week showed it has been running at 333,000 annually, with 184,000 of those coming from the EU - including 77,000 arrivals who did not have firm jobs lined up.

In an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, Mr Cameron blamed the strength of the economy for the scale of immigration over recent years.

He said 'wrecking' the economy by leaving the European single market would be a 'terrible way of trying to deal with the issue'.

And in remarks that infuriated Eurosceptics, he claimed that his renegotiation of our membership terms was the best approach to cutting numbers.  

'A better way is what I have negotiated in Europe - is that when people come to work here, if they don't find a job they go home,' Mr Cameron said.

'They don't get unemployment benefit while they're here and if they get a job they have to work for four years before they get full access to our welfare system.' 

But Vote Leave branded the claims 'lies', insisting that there was no legal mechanism for sending EU nationals home if they did not have a job. 

Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith said Mr Cameron was being 'insincere'

Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith said Mr Cameron was being 'insincere'

The Brexit campaign also said migrants from the bloc were still entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance after three months in this country, and said Mr Cameron's proposal for curbing benefits for four years would not work.

Mr Duncan Smith said: 'I'm astonished at these comments, which are deeply insincere - and a clear attempt to deceive the British public. 

'The truth is that for as long as we are a member of the European Union we are powerless to control the number of people coming to this country. 

'And yesterday's damning Home Affairs report shows conclusively that even if EU migrants commit serious crimes, the Government is unable to remove them.

'On his claims about benefits - this is the worst kind of gesture politics. 

'I know, because I was in charge of the department responsible for this area. 

'EU migrants are legally entitled to unemployment benefits after three months in the country - and as to the 'deal' to address this after the referendum - the British people shouldn't hold their breath.'  

Soraya Bouazzaoui (pictured centre) a second generation Moroccan immigrant who has just finished an English Literature degree from Southampton University, last night accused the Prime Minister of 'waffling' on his assurances that Turkey would not be allowed to join the EU anytime soon

Soraya Bouazzaoui (pictured centre) a second generation Moroccan immigrant who has just finished an English Literature degree from Southampton University, last night accused the Prime Minister of 'waffling' on his assurances that Turkey would not be allowed to join the EU anytime soon

 

Osborne joins JP Morgan, HSBC, BT and Ocado to warn of 400,000 job toll from Brexit 

George Osborne has joined forces with major firms including HSBC, LP Morgan, PwC, Ocado and BT to warn that Brexit could destroy 400,000 jobs in the services sector.

The Chancellor accused the Leave campaign of trying to 'deceive' voters that people's livelihoods are not at risk if we cut ties with Brussels. 

The jibe came as Tory infighting over the looming EU referendum raged on.

Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith has lashed out at David Cameron for being 'insincere' over what powers the UK has to control immigration within the bloc. 

The Prime Minister used an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain today to argue that his renegotiation of membership terms meant EU nationals could be kicked out if they did not find a job within six months.

LEAVE DISMISSES BANK WARNING

JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon

JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon

The boss of JP Morgan has warned that jobs could be moved to the EU if Britain votes to leave on June 23.

Jamie Dimon said the consequences of a British withdrawal from the EU could have an impact on the investment bank's 16,000 staff in locations in Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Swindon.

Speaking alongside George Osborne at the bank's offices in Bournemouth, Mr Dimon said: 'My observation of the facts is that a vote to leave would be a terrible deal for the British economy.

'At a minimum, a Brexit will result in years of uncertainty and I believe that this uncertainty will hurt the economies of both Britain and the European Union.'

Saying the company would have to react quickly to a decision to quit the EU, he added: 'One realistic outcome is that we lose the ability to passport our banking and trading services into Europe.

'But our clients will still need us to trade within what will then be the EU. If that's what the rules say, we will need to do what works.

'So if the UK leaves the EU, we may have no choice but to re-organise our business model here.

'Brexit could mean fewer JP Morgan jobs in the UK and more jobs in Europe.'

But Vote Leave pointed out that the bank had supported the UK joining the single currency, and was also implicated in the 2008 credit crunch. 

JP Morgan has donated to the official Stronger In campaign.

Tory MP Steve Baker said: 'Campaigners for Brussels can't have it both ways. 

'They say the EU is about peaceful cooperation, yet then they threaten us if we dare to consider taking back control in favour of a relationship based on trade rather than EU diktats. 

'The British people will not be bullied into voting to hand more money and more power to Brussels by someone whose bonus would make even some Eurocrat's eyes water and whose bank helped crash the economy.

'It's time for the In campaign to engage in an honest debate, not make unsubstantiated and illogical threats which are the real danger to our economy.'

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Mr Osborne attempted to turn the focus back on to the Remain campaign's favoured turf of the economy during a speech to staff at JP Morgan in Bournemouth.

'Today, 10 of the largest companies in our services sector, from BT to our universities to Universal Music are all telling us that there will be damage to our economy and jobs will be at risk if we leave the EU,' he said.

'So let's end this deception that somehow if we quit the EU that jobs won't be at risk. It's deceiving people to pretend that we can leave the EU and jobs won't be at risk.

'In our analysis of the services sector alone, 400,000 jobs will be at risk.

'These aren't numbers on a trading screen or an accountant's graph, they are people's livelihood, their ability to support their families, their ability to live out their dreams and aspirations and that is what is on the ballot paper when we vote in this referendum.'

A letter backing EU membership has been signed by the bosses of HSBC, PwC, Ocado and BT and other leaders of the service sector - which employs more than 25 million people in areas including retail, hospitality, transport, professional and financial services. 

'Britain's service sector includes everything from retail to the arts, from finance to education, and from hotels to architects,' they said.

'It accounts for around 80 per cent of value added and 80 per cent of employment, making it the jewel in the crown of British industries.

'As the leaders of some of Britain's biggest service businesses we believe that a vote to leave the EU would damage the UK's thriving service sector and put jobs at risk. We want to ensure that Britain remains a leader in this vital field, and that is why we support the UK remaining in the EU on June 23.' 

Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan, said the consequences of a British withdrawal from the EU could have an impact on its 16,000 staff in locations in Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Swindon.

He said: 'My observation of the facts is that a vote to leave would be a terrible deal for the British economy.

'At a minimum, a Brexit will result in years of uncertainty and I believe that this uncertainty will hurt the economies of both Britain and the European Union.'

Saying that the company would have to react quickly to a decision to leave the EU, he added: 'One realistic outcome is that we lose the ability to passport our banking and trading services into Europe.

'But our clients will still need us to trade within what will then be the EU. If that's what the rules say, we will need to do what works.

'So if the UK leaves the EU, we may have no choice but to re-organise our business model here.

'Brexit could mean fewer JP Morgan jobs in the UK and more jobs in Europe.'

But Tory MP Steve Baker said: 'Campaigners for Brussels can't have it both ways. 

'They say the EU is about peaceful cooperation, yet then they threaten us if we dare to consider taking back control in favour of a relationship based on trade rather than EU diktats. 

'The British people will not be bullied into voting to hand more money and more power to Brussels by someone whose bonus would make even some Eurocrat's eyes water and whose bank helped crash the economy.

'It's time for the In campaign to engage in an honest debate, not make unsubstantiated and illogical threats which are the real danger to our economy.'

Chancellor George Osborne warned that 400,000 jobs could go in the services sector after Brexit

Chancellor George Osborne warned that 400,000 jobs could go in the services sector after Brexit

Election watchdog admits 3,462 foreigners were sent polling cards for the referendum despite it being illegal for them to vote

Almost 3,500 EU citizens have been sent polling cards for the referendum despite it being illegal for them to vote in the poll, the Electoral Commission admitted tonight.

The elections watchdog yesterday insisted there was only a handful of cases and a memo sent to counting officers, seen by MailOnline, mentioned just seven examples.

But with a number of councils still to confirm the extent of the error, the Electoral Commission tonight issued a statement confirming 3,462 polling cards or postal votes had been issued in error.

EU citizens are not allowed to take part in the referendum because the franchise is based on the system used for the general election franchise.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO VOTE IN THIS MONTH'S REFERENDUM? 

The people on Gibraltar have been given a vote in this month's referendum despite not usually taking part in general elections 

The people on Gibraltar have been given a vote in this month's referendum despite not usually taking part in general elections 

Laws implementing this month's referendum based the franchise for the historic vote on who can vote in general elections.

This includes all British and Irish citizens but excludes EU nationals who are living in the UK via free movement rules.

EU nationals are allowed to take part in local and European Parliament elections.

The rules create surprising anomalies - such as Nick Clegg's wife, the Spanish lawyer Miriam González Durántez, who cannot vote.

In addition, the European Union Referendum Act allows peers to vote and also extends the franchise to the population of Gibraltar who, given their close proximity to Spain, will be enormously affected by the result.

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The Electoral Commission said none of the affected voters would be allowed to take part on polling day.  

Yesterday officials reveal a 'glitch' in election software called Xpress used by several councils failed to properly record the nationality of some voters.

The fault was due to have been fixed by a software patch on Wednesday night and any EU voters wrongly issued polling cards or postal votes will be written to with an explanation of what went wrong.

Iain Duncan Smith, the leading Vote Leave campaigner, yesterday wrote to David Cameron to demand a swift investigation into the 'deeply disturbing' claims. 

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said: 'The Commission can today confirm that according to information it has received so far, 3,462 electors were affected by this issue.

'We are still waiting for confirmation from six local authorities about whether they were affected and, if so, the figures will be updated once we receive this information.

'The software provider has resolved the issue which means that, if any postal votes have been issued to these electors, they will be cancelled and none of these electors will be shown as eligible on the electoral registers to be used at polling stations on 23 June.

'All of the affected electors will also be written to by their local Electoral Registration Officer with an explanation of what happened and will be told that they will not be able to vote at the referendum.' 

 

Donald Trump reveals he will fly into Britain BEFORE voters go the polls and give their verdict on Brexit - but Remain campaigners insist Britons will reject him

Donald Trump will fly into Britain the day before the EU referendum after bringing forward his plans to visit his Scottish golf courses.

The Republican presidential candidate had been due to visit Scotland on June 24, the day the result will be announced.

But days after confirming for the first he backed Brexit, Mr Trump revealed his plans to travel had been moved up and become a three day tour of his UK and Ireland businesses.

Senior Remain campaigners warned any intervention by Mr Trump to try and boost Brexit on the eve of polling day would be rejected by 'right minded British citizens'.  

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, today revealed his visit to Britain would now begin on June 22 and take in visits to Ayrshire and Aberdeen 

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, today revealed his visit to Britain would now begin on June 22 and take in visits to Ayrshire and Aberdeen 

David Cameron, who has been embroiled in a war of words with the billionaire over his policy on Muslim immigration, today repeated his willingness to meet candidates for the White House regardless of personal differences between politicians.

But he implied a meeting would have to take place on a later visit - insisting 'campaigning season' was the appropriate time for talks.

Mr Trump tweeted: 'On June 22- I will be going to Scotland to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Trump Turnberry resort, the worlds best.

'After Trump Turnberry I will be visiting Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, to see my great club, Trump Scotland.

'After Trump Scotland, I will visit Trump Doonberg in Ireland, the magnificent resort front on the Atlantic Ocean.

'Then, on June 25, back to the USA to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'

Labour MP Mike Gapes told MailOnline any intervention from Mr Trump would boost the Remain campaign's cause.

He said: 'The British people would rather listen to Barack Obama than Donald Trump.' 

Mr Trump revealed his travel plans in a series of messages on Twitter earlier today, telling his almost nine million followers he would visit Britain later this month 

Mr Trump revealed his travel plans in a series of messages on Twitter earlier today, telling his almost nine million followers he would visit Britain later this month 

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