Sir David Attenborough has risked angering millions of Brits by saying the people weren’t ‘wise’ enough to get a vote on Brexit
National treasure revealed he thought MPs should have been left to make the decision
NATIONAL treasure Sir David Attenborough has risked angering millions of Brits after saying people should not have had a vote on whether we stayed in the EU.
The TV icon said it should have been left to MPs – as the public was not ‘wise’ enough.
The 90-year-old has left himself open to accusations of elitism after saying the historic vote on June 23 has created a “mess”.
Speaking to Emily Maitlis for an interview in the , he said: “I mean, that's why we're in the mess we are with Brexit, is it not?
“Do we really want to live by this kind of referendum?”
Mr Attenborough added: “What we mean by parliamentary democracy is surely that we find someone we respect who we think is probably wiser than we are, who is prepared to take the responsibility of pondering difficult things and then trust him – or her – to vote on our behalf."
He also cited former chancellor Ken Clarke's new book in which he says if people were asked whether they'd like a National Gallery or a funfair they'd say a funfair.
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And quoting leading Brexiteer Michael Gove during the EU campaign, Sir David said: “That's why politicians getting up and saying, 'We've had enough of experts' is so catastrophic.”
He added: “I can see the arguments [for and against Brexit].
“I mean, I've said for years that I don't think any human society is prepared to make decisions which they may not like if they're made by people who don't speak the same language.”
Elsewhere in the interview he said the BBC was "absolutely right" to let The Great British Bake Off go.
The beloved BBC One baking show has been snapped up by rival broadcaster Channel 4 in a controversial deal reportedly worth around £75million.
Asked if the corporation was right not to renew their deal with Love Productions, Sir David said: "Oh, absolutely right!
"To say to them, 'If you want another million, go ahead, we've got plenty more ideas where that came from'."
However the former BBC Two controller admitted he did not agree with the sacking of former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
Clarkson was fired from the motoring show in March last year following a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon, while his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond quit in solidarity.
Sir David said of that decision: "Well, yes, I regret letting Clarkson go, because it's very good to have a voice that's anti-establishment, or so profoundly anti-establishment."
The trio will be reunited for a new motoring show, The Grand Tour, released on Amazon Prime later this month.