John Major blasted for ‘bitter’ jibe that saw him liken Brexiteers to footie hooligans
The former Prime Minister called leading Leave campaigners 'totally un-British' and 'undemocratic'
SIR John Major was branded “bitter” and “pitiable” yesterday by leading Brexiteers after he compared them to far–right football hooligans by branding them “ultras”.
In a stinging attack the former PM branded leading Leave campaigners “totally un-British” and “undemocratic” for shutting down their opponents.
Ultras are a type of football fan known for their fanatical support, chants and slogans.
But last night former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith shrugged off the label and urged the ex PM to show some humility.
He said: “John Major goes on and on fighting old battles. I am astonished anyone listens.
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“I am sorry that John Major still continues to appear bitter and angry about the referendum result.
“I would simply remind him 25 years ago in a sense he created all of this by passing the Maastricht Treaty which set the direction of Britain on a pathway out of the EU.
“It’s not what Britain joined – we joined a marketplace and he ensured it became a supernational state.”
And fellow Brexiteer and Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called his comments an “outpouring of bile”.
He said: “John Major’s article is no more than an internally contradictory moan.
“He calls for an end to soundbites with a sound bite and a serious debate with an outpouring of bile.
“It is pitiable that a once important figure now so belittles himself”.
Accusing the Brexiteers of winning last June’s vote with “fake facts and bogus promises”, Sir John urged Theresa May to “disown” them.
In his doom-mongering article he said they were “dishonest and wrong” to promise the British people there would an “easy or favourable” deal with the EU.