George Osborne’s family say they 'totally disagree' with him on EU referendum
The Chancellor's aunt has attacked the Government's £9 million pro-EU leaflet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.George Osborne’s has faced criticism from members of his family who say they “totally disagree with him on Brexit”.
Jennifer Little, Mr Osborne’s aunt, has expressed her support for Britain to leave the EU, attacking claims lined out in the Government’s pro-EU leaflet.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Mrs Little called claims made in the divisive 16-page booklet suggesting food prices could rise in the event of a Brexit vote “ludicrous”, adding “I don’t’ believe a word of it.”
The pamphlet, delivered to 27 million households and costing the Treasury £9 million, also states “we control our own borders in Britain”, to which Mrs Little said, “No, we don’t have control of our borders and the level of migration is definitely way too high.”
The 77-year-old is married to Anthony Little, 73, who co-founded the wallpaper business Osborne & Little with the Chancellor’s father Sir Peter Osborne in the 1960s.
Speaking on behalf of her husband, who has also called on Britain to leave the EU, Mrs Little said: “My husband and I are very fond of George but we totally disagree with him on Brexit.”
Mrs Little is not the first member of the Chancellor’s family to attack his position on the EU referendum.
The Chancellor’s uncle, Peter Osborne, has previously lambasted the Government’s pro-EU booklet, telling the Standard the huge cost of the pamphlet was “grossly unfair”.
The comments follow Mr Osborne’s most significant intervention in the EU referendum debate, in which he claimed a vote to leave the EU would, by 2030, leave the UK worse off by the equivalent of £4,300 for every household.
He also said the country would have a GDP six per cent smaller by the end of the next decade in the event of a vote to leave the EU.
Mr Osborne has also taken aim at the Leave camp accusing them of “crying wolf” with their claim that the case for staying in the EU is founded on a so-called “Project Fear”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments