UK's Cameron 'appalled' by pro-Brexit Turkey warnings
Cameron, who is campaigning for Britain to stay in the union, accused the Leave campaign of alienating British Muslims
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron leaves the memorial service for victims of the attack on the Bardo Mudeum in Tunis and the Tunisian holiday resort of Port El Kantaoui in Sousse, at Westminster Abbey in central London. PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON:
Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday said he was "appalled" by warnings issued by those calling for Britain to leave the European Union about the potential dangers of Turkey joining the bloc.
Cameron, who is campaigning for Britain to stay in the union, accused the Leave campaign of alienating British Muslims and claimed the warnings were a "sign of desperation".
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Campaigners for a Brexit vote on June 23 have repeatedly raised the spectre of millions of Turks being free to live in Britain as a reason to pull out of the 28-nation bloc.
There are currently about 500,000 people of Turkish origin living in Britain, according to the Home Office.
They have also suggested that British security would be at risk, warning that crime and gun ownership is higher in Turkey.
"I do find it concerning the way that the Leave campaign are talking about Turkish people in this referendum," Cameron told online newspaper Muslim News.
"Some of the material they are putting out, painting Turkish people as criminals or terrorists, is frankly appalling," he added.
"Many British Muslims will be offended by the way they are trying to frighten people. I think it's a sign of desperation."
The Leave camp is currently lagging in the polls, with bookmakers heavily favouring Britain's continued membership of the EU.
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The Vote Leave group on Monday launched a poster showing a British passport as an open door, next to the headline "Turkey (population 76 million) is joining the EU".
It also put out a video warning that "David Cameron cannot be trusted on Turkey", alongside footage of lawmakers fighting in the Turkish parliament, and a crude map with arrows pointing from Turkey to Britain.
Immigration has been a key issue during the debate, with Leave campaigners warning that a Brexit was the only way to end mass migration from within the bloc.
Shortly after he took office in 2010, Prime Minister David Cameron visited Ankara to make the case for Turkish membership of the EU, saying he would "remain your strongest possible advocate".
"This is something I feel very strongly and very passionately about. Together I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels," he said.
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But in an appearance before a parliamentary committee earlier this month, Cameron said that Turkish membership was not "remotely on the cards -- I don't think it will happen for decades".
After applying in 1987, Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005.
"At the current rate of progress, they'd probably get round to joining in about the year 3000," he added.
Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday said he was "appalled" by warnings issued by those calling for Britain to leave the European Union about the potential dangers of Turkey joining the bloc.
Cameron, who is campaigning for Britain to stay in the union, accused the Leave campaign of alienating British Muslims and claimed the warnings were a "sign of desperation".
EU says 'Brexit' threat 'considerable' risk to European economy
Campaigners for a Brexit vote on June 23 have repeatedly raised the spectre of millions of Turks being free to live in Britain as a reason to pull out of the 28-nation bloc.
There are currently about 500,000 people of Turkish origin living in Britain, according to the Home Office.
They have also suggested that British security would be at risk, warning that crime and gun ownership is higher in Turkey.
"I do find it concerning the way that the Leave campaign are talking about Turkish people in this referendum," Cameron told online newspaper Muslim News.
"Some of the material they are putting out, painting Turkish people as criminals or terrorists, is frankly appalling," he added.
"Many British Muslims will be offended by the way they are trying to frighten people. I think it's a sign of desperation."
The Leave camp is currently lagging in the polls, with bookmakers heavily favouring Britain's continued membership of the EU.
Brexit threatens £1 billion in research funding: study
The Vote Leave group on Monday launched a poster showing a British passport as an open door, next to the headline "Turkey (population 76 million) is joining the EU".
It also put out a video warning that "David Cameron cannot be trusted on Turkey", alongside footage of lawmakers fighting in the Turkish parliament, and a crude map with arrows pointing from Turkey to Britain.
Immigration has been a key issue during the debate, with Leave campaigners warning that a Brexit was the only way to end mass migration from within the bloc.
Shortly after he took office in 2010, Prime Minister David Cameron visited Ankara to make the case for Turkish membership of the EU, saying he would "remain your strongest possible advocate".
"This is something I feel very strongly and very passionately about. Together I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels," he said.
'Brexit' in spotlight at G7 meeting in Japan
But in an appearance before a parliamentary committee earlier this month, Cameron said that Turkish membership was not "remotely on the cards -- I don't think it will happen for decades".
After applying in 1987, Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005.
"At the current rate of progress, they'd probably get round to joining in about the year 3000," he added.