COMEDIAN John Cleese has publicly backed the Brexit campaign as he made his views on the European Union clear in series of tweets last night.
A prominent Liberal Democrat supporter, Cleese added it was a “sad” situation and appeared to address his message to party grandee Lord Ashdown, who is campaigning for Remain.
He tweeted: “If I thought there was any chance of major reform in the EU, I’d vote to stay in. But there isn’t. Sad. Sorry, Paddy.”
Along with revealing his personal opinion, the television star also proposed a series of EU reforms – including giving up the Euro, introduce accountability and to “hang” Jean-Claude Juncker.
He also said Britain had been “swimming against the tide” in its bid to bring about change in Brussels, where bureaucrats had taken away “any trace of democratic accountability”.
The actor then dismissed claims Britain would struggle to set up free trade deals after leaving the EU, writing: “There’s been trading for millenia…I can’t see that stopping.
“And don’t we buy more from the EU than they do from us.
Cleese accused Mr Juncker of “threatening” Britain
“Why would that suddenly stop?”
Several of his Twitter followers and fans sent him messages of support for outing his beliefs.
Twitter user @Jandals_nz said: “Democratically, much better off out.”
“I want democracy. The “Single market” is a protectionist customs union.”
John Amenta tweeted: ” I agree. EU these days, seems like nothing more than a power grab by very rich people, over the well-being of ordinary Brits.”
But several pro-EU followers disagreed.
James Burns tweeted: “Economically, we are better IN, according to the IMF, OECD, IFS, Bank of England, 90% of surveyed economies.”
Cleese is known for his starring roles in Fawlty Towers and Monty Python
Otto English added: “Short termism is the enemy of progress.
“A better Europe won’t happen overnight but by voting out you set us back not forward.”