Video
‘It’s better to Remain’ - Dalai Lama sets the record straight on Brexit
The Dalai Lama. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA. - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
The Dalai Lama has spoken out in support of Remain for the first time since his face was plastered on a Leave.EU poster at the time of the referendum.
In an interview with BBC News at the Dalai Lama's residence in northern India, the spiritual leader was asked for his views on Brexit, three years after appearing on a Leave.EU poster during the European election campaign.
He said: "I am one admirer of the spirit of the European Union.
"I'm an outsider, but I feel it is better to Remain in the union."
The poster, which was posted on Leave.EU's Twitter account attributes the quote to the leader.
You may also want to watch:
It said: "The goal should be that migrants return and help rebuild their countries.
"You have to be practical. It's impossible for everyone to come."
Most Read
- 1 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 2 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 3 Minister terminates interview after suggesting public's age and weight to blame for UK's high death toll
- 4 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 5 This picture of Boris Johnson on the phone to Joe Biden has caused a stir
- 6 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 7 Brexiteer calls for UK to save Eurostar - by buying it and renaming it 'Britstar'
- 8 Petition launched to cancel 'festival of Brexit' event in 2022
- 9 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 10 Piers Morgan defends interview with Thérèse Coffey after accusations of 'bullying'
When asked about the poster - which he said he had not given permission for - he said: "The European countries should take these refugees and give them an education and training, and then aiming to return to their own land.
He said some should be allowed to stay, but qualified this by saying that Europe was "for Europeans".
He explained: "The whole of Europe become a Muslim country? Impossible. Or African country, also impossible.
"They themselves I think better to their own land. Keep Europe for Europeans."
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.