Blair: Leave campaign focusing on immigration because debate on the economy 'lost comprehensively'

Tony Blair said the Leave campaign are focusing on immigration as they have lost the debate on the economy. Credit: BBC/Andrew Marr show

Former prime minister Tony Blair has said the Vote Leave referendum campaign is focusing on immigration "because they've lost comprehensively the debate on the economy".

His comments come after senior Tories Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove launched an attack on David Cameron over what they said is his failure to limit net migration

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Blair said concerns over immigration levels are "completely understandable", adding that this is a "worldwide phenomenon".

Andrew Marr interviews former prime minister Tony Blair. Credit: BBC Andrew Marr show

"I understand why people think the levels are too high but the fact is the biggest problem we have is non-EU immigration".

"The reason why the Leave people really focused on immigration day after day is because they've lost comprehensively the debate on the economy," he added.

"What is now clear, and I don't think they can really dispute this, is that if we did vote to leave the EU the economic aftershock would be severe and directly measurable in jobs, and leaving standards and business confidence."

Mr Blair also said the issue of the EU referendum is the "most important decision we will have to make since World War Two".