UK's Osborne pushes G20 to warn against Brexit: FT

British Finance Minister George Osborne speaks during a meeting with his Italian counterpart Pier Carlo Padoan (unseen) in Rome, Italy, February 3, 2016.

Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi


British finance minister George Osborne is pushing the Group of 20 leading economies to warn about the dangers of Britain leaving the European Union, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.


Osborne says he hopes G20 support for Britain staying in the EU will be an important outcome of a meeting on Friday and Saturday in Shanghai of finance ministers, the FT said, citing people close to the finance minister. (on.ft.com/1Oyl320)


A Treasury spokesman declined to comment.


Chinese officials expressed concerns about a "Brexit" in bilateral meetings in Beijing on Wednesday. G20 officials who have participated in crafting early drafts of the communique in Shanghai said they expected there would be a reference to Brexit in the final version, the FT said.


Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron's backing for keeping Britain in the EU has the support of London's financial district, major companies, much of the Labour Party, major trade unions, international allies and Scottish nationalists.


International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde in an interview with CNN Money on Wednesday warned Britain against Brexit. She said trade and financial ties, and migration between the UK and Europe have boosted growth. (cnnmon.ie/1Qf1LV4)


Brexit is bound to be a negative on all fronts, Lagarde said.


(Reporting by Rama Venkat Raman in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)




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