Martin Lewis was 'sent death threats' after Remain campaign used his picture

Money Saving Expert advisor claims his image and quotes were used without his permission

Martin Lewis, of the money saving website moneysavingexpert.com

Martin Lewis has claimed he received death threats after his picture and quotes were used in leaflets by the Remain campaign without his permission.

The financial journalist best known for giving consumer advice on Money Saving Expert told the Press Association his image was used by the pro-EU campaign in the run up to Brexit after saying he believed Britain would be better off economically by staying in the European Union.

“I am never afraid of standing up for what I believe in but I didn’t believe I wanted to tell people how to vote,” he said.

“First of all, I was one of six on every leaflet and when they did testing and realised I was the most trusted it was then on the front of every Remain leaflet with a picture of me. Without my permission, without my approval.

“I was not campaigning for Remain. I got death threats on the back of it.”

The quote used on the leaflets came from his appearance on ITV's The Agenda in April. When asked whether Britain would fare better or worse by leaving the EU, he replied: “On balance of probability, it is more likely we'll have less money in our pockets if we vote to leave.”

Lewis also urged Brits to accept the result and not “talk ourselves into recession”.

“We have had a democratic decision as a country we have decided to leave.

“What we must all do now is shake hands with people who voted the other way and work to make that decision the best possible decision in the best possible outcome that we can have for the country.

Open Britain, the pro-EU cross-party campaign which accepts the outcome of the referendum, declined to comment.