‘I feel sorry for them’ Graham Norton blasts Brexiteers who were ‘sold a pack of lies’

Speaking on RTÉ One’s The Late Late Show, the comedian said he was “astonished” at the referendum result before saying he felt “sorry” for Brexit backers.

During an interview on the Irish channel which aired on Friday, he said: “I was astonished that people bought the pack of lies they were sold and I feel sorry for the people who voted for it because they were lied to.

“They were promised things that are never going to happen and they were told the things that are now unfolding ‘oh don’t worry that won’t happen’ – of course it is.”

The BBC talk show host said the result was “not about the economy” before branding the idea of Brexit “depressing”.

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Graham Norton slams Brexit vote in TV interview

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  ‘Frustrated’ Sturgeon hits back at May after ‘frank’ Brexit meeting

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  Theresa May vows to deliver Brexit without damaging EU relations

I was astonished that people bought the pack of lies they were sold and I feel sorry for the people who voted for it because they were lied to

Graham Norton

“I think in the end, it’s not about the economy because that is going to take all the headlines, that’s going to be what everyone talks about over the next few years,” he continued.

“Actually, economies come and go and things roll and it’ll all flatten out and be fine.”

Norton, who has lived in the UK for over 25 years, blasted leave voters aged over 60 for “closing doors” for young people.

He said: “What’s great about being young… is you have so many options – all the doors are open, every door is open.

RTÉ ONE

Graham Norton said he felt “sorry” for Brexit backers

“And what’s so sad about Brexit is that people over 60 – because it was people over 60 [that] passed that thing – people over 60 closed so many doors on young people and shut down options about studying abroad, living abroad, working [abroad].

“It just seemed absolutely the wrong instinct – don’t make the world smaller.”

Norton also suggested the referendum result would be different if it was held again.

Speaking about Leave voters, he added: “I understand where the fear [of the EU] comes from but actually, I think it’s sad.”

The comments come after leading banks indicated they could pull out of the UK before Leave negotiations commence because of “Brexit uncertainty”.

The head of the British Banker’s Association Anthony Browne said some banks are already prepared to shut up shop as soon as next year.