Billionaire LEAVE campaigner hits back at Cameron

The billionaire founder of financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown says the EU referendum campaign is "too nasty".

Peter Hargreaves, who gave £3.2 million to the Leave Campaign, has also hit back at the Prime Minister. In a recent speech, David Cameron quoted Hargreaves as saying the insecurity created by Brexit would be "fantastic".

In an interview with ITN News' Ian Axton, Mr Hargreaves said, "I never said I thought we would be insecure. I said the feeling of insecurity would be good. I started a business from my spare bedroom and built it up into a FTSE 100 company.

"I am a businessman, not a hedge fund manager.

"I really do think I know a little bit about finance. I write cheques unlike most politicians who never have to write them."

Mr Hargreaves was speaking to ITV News from his home in Somerset. He said the referendum campaign had got too nasty:

"I think a lot of what is being said now is completely irrelevant to the campaign. Everyone wants facts and figures, sensible comment and sensible reasoning on both sides".

Mr Hargreaves said he's donated the £3.2 million to the Leave campaign to balance the influence government voices are having on the remain side.

"We are not going to get another chance to do this. It's vital that people really do understand what's at stake and both sides have to have a reasonable debate.

Hargreaves believes Britain will be better off outside the EU because there would be more money available to support British citizens:

"All those people who are unemployed should feel confident that we're better off outside the EU as it will also stop a lot of people coming in and taking their jobs."

When asked if he had a message for the Prime Minister, Hargreaves said,"Why is he stood so far on one side? He went to Brussels and didn't get a deal.

"He said before he went if he didn't get a deal he'd take us out. That's what he should be doing, or at least he should be neutral".

  • Watch: Ian Axton's full interview with Peter Hargreaves

There is exactly a month to go until the referendum, and while the Prime Minister is urging us to vote to remain, the Leave campaign - including Peter Hargreaves - says the warnings are unfounded.

So, have you made your decision on the European Union?