John Major 'angry at deceitful and misleading Leave campaign'

Sir John Major has called the Leave campaign 'deceitful and misleading' Credit: BBC's The Andrew Marr Show

Former prime minister Sir John Major has said he is "angry at the way the British people are being misled" in the EU referendum debate, accusing the Leave campaign of a "deceitful campaign".

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, he said claims from Leave that an extra 300,000 jobs would be created if Britain votes to leave the EU were "fantasy", adding there are 3 million jobs connected to the European single market.

"If we cut ourselves adrift we will become a vastly diminished country," he added.

He also characterised his fellow Conservative Boris Johnson - who is a key figure in the Leave campaign - as "a very engaging and charming court jester,” and said he would offer him the following advice.

Sir John Major called Boris Johnson 'a charming court jester'. Credit: BBC's The Andrew Marr Show

“If the Leave campaign led by Boris continue to divide the Conservative Party as they are doing in the present time, and if Boris has the laudable ambition to become prime minister, he will find if he achieves that that he will not have the loyalty of the party he divided."

He added: "Iain Duncan Smith was serially disloyal in the 1990s, when he became leader he was surprised that no one was loyal to him and Boris should learn from that."

Mr Johnson, who also appeared on the show, defended the Vote Leave campaign and dismissed the former prime minister's criticisms.

"I think that we've got a very short time to go until this referendum, and I think what people want to hear are the arguments and what we're setting out the the Leave campaign, is an agenda for the Government to take back control on June 23 on a lot of things that really matter to the people of this country."