Richard Branson says Brexit would be 'worst decision Britain could ever make'

British billionaire businessman Richard Branson warned that leaving the European Union would be "the worst decision the British public ever made". The Virgin Group founder made the comments at the launch of the company's new train in London.

"The damage it will do to this country, the people who live in this country, will be enormous. So, I really do believe that in the end, sense will prevail," said Branson.

Branson, who is an avid supporter of the trade bloc, urged Britain to vote to remain in the EU in the 23 June referendum.

"Why create these barriers? Why create all this extra bureaucracy that's going to go into the nightmare of extra taxes, extra overheads... unnecessary. We've got a great market, let's make the best of it," he said.

The entrepreneur, who is well known in Britain as the face of Virgin, said he thought the European Union could be improved with Britain's continued membership. "There's just so many advantages to it. Let's be the best inside the EU and let's sort those problems out," he added.

Branson was speaking as he was unveiled a brand new British manufactured high-speed train at Kings Cross Station, in partnership with Japanese firm Hitachi. The train will operate on Britain's East Coast mainline from 2018 and can operate at speeds of up to 140mph.