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EU referendum: Osborne accuses Leave camp of 'conspiracies' EU referendum: Osborne accuses Leave camp of 'conspiracies'
(about 2 hours later)
Chancellor George Osborne has accused Leave campaigners of indulging in conspiracy theories in their response to economic warnings about an EU exit.Chancellor George Osborne has accused Leave campaigners of indulging in conspiracy theories in their response to economic warnings about an EU exit.
He said they would be accusing the Remain camp of "faking the moon landings" next, as he claimed an EU exit would risk £200bn a year in trade.He said they would be accusing the Remain camp of "faking the moon landings" next, as he claimed an EU exit would risk £200bn a year in trade.
He was sharing a platform with former political foes Ed Balls and Sir Vince Cable who are backing the Remain cause.He was sharing a platform with former political foes Ed Balls and Sir Vince Cable who are backing the Remain cause.
Vote Leave campaigner Chris Grayling dismissed Mr Osborne's claims. The Leave campaign accused Remain of resorting to "lurid scare stories".
He told BBC News: "The reality is there's no conspiracy here at all. In fact, the conspiracy theories around the European Union are there in black and white, you don't need any hidden elements to it - there is a clear plan to create a federation of the eurozone."
Voters will be asked to decide whether they want the UK to stay in or leave the European Union on 23 June.Voters will be asked to decide whether they want the UK to stay in or leave the European Union on 23 June.
In a speech at Stansted Airport on Monday, Mr Osborne unveiled what were billed as surprise guests, Ed Balls and Sir Vince Cable, as he warned that it would be a "huge mistake" to quit the EU.In a speech at Stansted Airport on Monday, Mr Osborne unveiled what were billed as surprise guests, Ed Balls and Sir Vince Cable, as he warned that it would be a "huge mistake" to quit the EU.
Standing in front of a Ryanair plane which carried the words that Britain is "stronger, safer and better off in Europe", Mr Osborne warned that leaving the single market - in which there are no tariffs, quotas or taxes on trade and where there is free movement of goods, services, capital and people - would cost Britain £200bn in a trade a year - as well as £200bn overseas investment.Standing in front of a Ryanair plane which carried the words that Britain is "stronger, safer and better off in Europe", Mr Osborne warned that leaving the single market - in which there are no tariffs, quotas or taxes on trade and where there is free movement of goods, services, capital and people - would cost Britain £200bn in a trade a year - as well as £200bn overseas investment.
That would mean fewer jobs, lower incomes and higher prices in the shops, he added.That would mean fewer jobs, lower incomes and higher prices in the shops, he added.
"There is a reason the three of us are standing here today putting aside our political differences," said the chancellor."There is a reason the three of us are standing here today putting aside our political differences," said the chancellor.
"It's not a conspiracy, it's called a consensus," he said, adding: "Britain will be worse off if we leave the EU.""It's not a conspiracy, it's called a consensus," he said, adding: "Britain will be worse off if we leave the EU."
Mr Osborne said the economic consensus that had emerged, that "Britain will be poorer" outside the EU, was shared by organisations including the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England and by figures including US President Barack Obama.Mr Osborne said the economic consensus that had emerged, that "Britain will be poorer" outside the EU, was shared by organisations including the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England and by figures including US President Barack Obama.
But he said the Leave camp "say it is all a massive conspiracy" and claim it is "all part of some global stitch-up to give misinformation to the British people".But he said the Leave camp "say it is all a massive conspiracy" and claim it is "all part of some global stitch-up to give misinformation to the British people".
"The next thing we know, the Leave camp will be accusing us of faking the moon landings, kidnapping Shergar and covering up the existence of the Loch Ness monster," he said."The next thing we know, the Leave camp will be accusing us of faking the moon landings, kidnapping Shergar and covering up the existence of the Loch Ness monster," he said.
He said their response to the "sober economic warnings from around the world" was neither "credible or serious".He said their response to the "sober economic warnings from around the world" was neither "credible or serious".
AnalysisAnalysis
By BBC Political Editor Laura KuenssbergBy BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg
Just as the chancellor is trying to claim victory in the economic debate his colleagues on the other side like Boris Johnson are digging in, characterising the debate as nothing less than a struggle between fat cats and the common man.Just as the chancellor is trying to claim victory in the economic debate his colleagues on the other side like Boris Johnson are digging in, characterising the debate as nothing less than a struggle between fat cats and the common man.
George Osborne can claim the economic debate is over, but voters will decide who and what they want to hear.George Osborne can claim the economic debate is over, but voters will decide who and what they want to hear.
Read Laura's full analysisRead Laura's full analysis
Responding to Mr Osborne's comments, Conservative cabinet minister and Vote Leave campaigner Chris Grayling said he was "not right at all" saying the Leave camp was "setting things out as we see them". Responding to Mr Osborne's comments, Conservative cabinet minister and Vote Leave campaigner Chris Grayling told BBC News: "The reality is there's no conspiracy here at all.
He said the EU's plans for the eurozone would leave Britain "on the fringes, with them making our laws for us" and the UK would not be able to do anything about it. "In fact, the conspiracy theories around the European Union are there in black and white, you don't need any hidden elements to it - there is a clear plan to create a federation of the eurozone."
This would leave Britain "on the fringes, with them making our laws for us" and the UK would not be able to do anything about it, Mr Grayling said.
In reference to the IMF's warning, he said the organisation had got its economic forecasts wrong in the past and it was "getting it wrong now", and claimed its chief, Christine Lagarde, was an "avowed, devoted Euro federalist".In reference to the IMF's warning, he said the organisation had got its economic forecasts wrong in the past and it was "getting it wrong now", and claimed its chief, Christine Lagarde, was an "avowed, devoted Euro federalist".
'Hugely damaging''Hugely damaging'
But former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls - once described by David Cameron as "the most annoying person in modern politics" - said the EU single market had been "great" for consumers and losing access to it would be "hugely damaging" for families.But former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls - once described by David Cameron as "the most annoying person in modern politics" - said the EU single market had been "great" for consumers and losing access to it would be "hugely damaging" for families.
Sir Vince, Lib Dem business secretary during the coalition government years, said British businesses and workers have "benefitted overall" from EU membership and "stand to lose substantially" from leaving.Sir Vince, Lib Dem business secretary during the coalition government years, said British businesses and workers have "benefitted overall" from EU membership and "stand to lose substantially" from leaving.
Meanwhile, Ryanair chief executive Mr O'Leary said the company was creating 450 new jobs in Britain as part of the $1.4bn it invests in the UK - but he warned this could have to be scaled back if the UK left the EU.Meanwhile, Ryanair chief executive Mr O'Leary said the company was creating 450 new jobs in Britain as part of the $1.4bn it invests in the UK - but he warned this could have to be scaled back if the UK left the EU.
"If Britain isn't a member of the EU these investments, these jobs will be going to other countries. That's why Ryanair is campaigning so strongly for Britain to remain in the EU," he said."If Britain isn't a member of the EU these investments, these jobs will be going to other countries. That's why Ryanair is campaigning so strongly for Britain to remain in the EU," he said.
He also said it was a "certainty" that air fares and the costs of holidays would rise - although he has previously said ticket prices would not be affected by an EU exit and has described teh EU as an "evil empire". He also said it was a "certainty" that air fares and the costs of holidays would rise - although he has previously said ticket prices would not be affected by an EU exit and in 2004 described the EU as an "evil empire".
In February, he told ITV News: "I don't believe leaving the European Union will cause air fares to rise. The thing that will drive up air fares in Britain is the UK government's travel tax."In February, he told ITV News: "I don't believe leaving the European Union will cause air fares to rise. The thing that will drive up air fares in Britain is the UK government's travel tax."
Pro-exit letter 'Scare stories'
Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "George Osborne appeared today alongside one man who thinks that the EU is an evil empire and another who said that the Chancellor does not understand economics.
"George Osborne is panicking about his failing campaign so he is resorting to ever more lurid scare stories.
"His problem is that he's told so many tall tales that people no longer believe what he and David Cameron say on the EU any more."
In other campaign developments, 306 business figures have signed a letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, backing Vote Leave.In other campaign developments, 306 business figures have signed a letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, backing Vote Leave.
The signatories include Superdrug founder Peter Goldstein, former Sony vice-president Steve Dowdle, Goldman Sachs managing director David Sismey, Tim Martin, chairman of pub chain JD Wetherspoon and Adrian McAlpine, from construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine.The signatories include Superdrug founder Peter Goldstein, former Sony vice-president Steve Dowdle, Goldman Sachs managing director David Sismey, Tim Martin, chairman of pub chain JD Wetherspoon and Adrian McAlpine, from construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine.
Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who is campaigning for a Remain vote, said the "the overwhelming weight of businesses support remaining in the European Union" and accused the Leave camp of trying to "mislead the public" by suggesting British business is "split down the middle" on EU membership.Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who is campaigning for a Remain vote, said the "the overwhelming weight of businesses support remaining in the European Union" and accused the Leave camp of trying to "mislead the public" by suggesting British business is "split down the middle" on EU membership.