EU referendum: Vote Leave’s John Longworth slams IMF as “wrong consistently” and claims there is no evidence Brexit vote is causing investment delays
John Longworth, the former head of the British Chambers of Commerce turned Brexit campaigner, has denied there is any evidence investment decisions are being held up by the looming EU referendum.
He was speaking after the International Monetary Fund yesterday warned that a so-called Brexit would cause major instability to the UK, European and world economies.
Warning that a Brexit "could do severe regional and global damage", the IMF cut its outlook for growth in the UK and around the world. It now expects the UK to expand by 1.9 per cent this year, down from a prediction of 2.2 per cent made in January.
Read more: IMF warns over "severe damage" of Brexit
The IMF said: "The planned June referendum on European Union membership has already created uncertainty for investors."
But, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money, Longworth said he was "not at all concerned" by the IMF report.
“The IMF have been wrong consistently on economic forecasting over the years," he said.
“The IMF are part of that political establishment in Europe who have a vested interest in us remaining in the European Union.”
Read more: Brack off: John Longworth slams anti-Brexit multinationals
Asked about the uncertainty the referendum is causing, Longworth said: “There's no evidence, actually, that investment decisions are being held up at the moment.
"Uncertainty is a feature of business life… We live in a very uncertain world.”
Longworth stepped down from his position as director-general of the BCC last month after he was suspended for expressing his support for a so-called Brexit. At the end of last month, Longworth was named as the chair of Vote Leave's business council.