EU Referendum: Sadiq Khan attacks Boris Johnson for 'campaign of hate' in angry clashes during TV debate

Jamie Bullen22 June 2016

Sadiq Khan has attacked Boris Johnson for “telling lies” and running a campaign of “hate” as the current and former London Mayor squared up in a debate on the EU referendum.

Mr Khan was involved in angry clashes with his predecessor at Wembley Arena less than 48 hours before voters decide if Britain should remain in the EU.

While discussing immigration during the BBC debate, the Mayor claimed Mr Johnson was being untruthful in claims by Vote Leave claims that Turkey is poised to join the EU.

He said: “You're telling lies Boris and you're scaring people. You are using the ruse of Turkey to scare people into voting to leave.

“You and I both know that Turkey is not joining the EU anytime soon. That's scaremongering Boris, you should be ashamed.

“Your campaign hasn't been project fear, it's been project hate as far as immigration is concerned."

But Mr Johnson hit back and pointed out Mr Khan had previously said that those concerned about immigration should not be accused of prejudice.

Boris Johnson arrives at Wembley for the EU debate
PA

He said: "I do agree with Sadiq, I think you need a grown-up approach to this, I'm passionately a believer in immigration, but it's got to be controlled.

"When you've got numbers running at 184,000 net from the EU, 77,000 coming without even the offer of a job last year, it's obviously time to take back control."

Sadiq Khan waves as he enters the arena for the TV debate
PA

Mr Johnson was joined by Tory Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom and Labour's Gisela Stuart on behalf of Vote Leave for the programme in front of a live audience.

While Mr Khan was accompanied by Scottish Tory leader Ms Davidson and TUC Secretary General Frances O'Grady in making the case for Remain.

Mr Johnson branded the EU a "job destroyer engine" adding Britain has been unable to save steel jobs because of EU rules.

He said: "We cannot cut our energy costs to protect jobs in Port Talbot because Brussels says no."

But Mr Khan again accused Mr Johnson of telling a "lie" which led presenter David Dimbleby to intervene by telling the pair to "calm down".

Mr Johnson was also reprimanded by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson who told him "it is not the Boris show" as he hit out at the lack of democracy in the EU.

Hours before the debate took place, a poll revealed Brexit campaigners had closed the gap with just two days to go to the referendum.

A Survation poll for trading company IG gave Remain a one point lead, on 45 to Leave's 44. Undecideds accounted for 11 per cent of those surveyed in the telephone poll.

The survey marks a slight gain for Brexit campaigners after another poll by the firm gave Remain a three point lead at the weekend.

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