Leaving the EU would be ‘like escaping from jail’, says Boris Johnson

Leaving the European Union would be like escaping from jail, Boris Johnson claimed as he said a business leader who was suspended over his support for Brexit paid a “heavy price”.

Downing Street has insisted it did not put pressure on the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to suspend its leader over comments suggesting the country could have a “brighter” future outside the EU.

Number 10 said it was “surprised” by the views expressed by John Longworth, the BCC’s director general and acknowledged that it “regularly” speaks to business organisations.