Express. Barack Obama's deputy warns on EU vote

US Vice-President Joe Biden provoked ridicule yesterday by claiming that a British exit from the European Union would damage world peace and prosperity.

In a highly unusual intervention, Barack Obama’s deputy warned David Cameron not to cut ties with Brussels.

Democratic Party grandee Mr Biden told an interviewer: “We value our essential relationship with the UK, as well as our relationship with the EU, which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity and security in Europe and around the world.

“We believe the United Kingdom is stronger as a result of its membership.

“And we believe the EU is stronger with the UK’s involvement.”

His comments were savaged by Eurosceptics yesterday.

His message is the first public statement about Britain’s relationship with Europe from the White House since Mr Cameron announced plans for an in-or-out referendum on EU membership in a landmark speech last month.

But shortly before Mr Cameron’s speech, Mr Obama phoned him in Downing Street to emphasise that the US “values a strong UK in a strong European Union”.

Meanwhile, Mr Cameron is due to attend a summit in Brussels on Thursday to resume talks over the EU’s planned £800billion spending plans for the next seven years.

Negotiations collapsed last year after EU leaders could not agree to cut the inflation-busting budget.