Professor Stephen Hawking warns leaving the EU would be ‘disaster for science’

The academic leads more than 150 scientists voicing the stark warning as they campaign for Britain to stay in the EU.

Professor Stephen HawkingBrexit: Professor Stephen Hawking has spoken out in favour of the EU

Black holes genius Stephen Hawking has warned Brexit would be a "disaster for UK science".

The Cambridge professor immortalised in The Theory of Everything has led more then 150 top scientists campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union.

The Fellows of the Royal Society said a Leave vote on June 23 will affect research in the UK because many scientists are now recruited from Europe.

Prof Hawking's stellar intervention comes as the battle between the In and Out camps ramps up today.

Tory minister Chris Grayling will blast David Cameron 's renegotiation at a speech in Westminster — while the Prime Minister will warn the shock of leaving won't be a price worth paying.

And the editor of the Sun newspaper Tony Gallagher stood by his claims the Queen backed Brexit — despite Buckingham Palace complaining to the press watchdog.

The scientists wrote in a letter to The Times: "We now recruit many of our best researchers from continental Europe, including younger ones who have obtained EU grants and have chosen to move with them here.

"Being able to attract and fund the most talented Europeans assures the future of British science and also encourages the best scientists elsewhere to come here."

The signatories — including University of Cambridge professor Sir Alan Fersht, who specialises in protein science and organised the letter — also claim that increased funding from the EU has benefited the UK and science as a whole.

In the letter the scientists also note the example of Switzerland, which despite paying in to the EU, has limited access to funds and struggles to attract young talent because of freedom of movement restrictions.

They add: "If the UK leaves the EU and there is a loss of freedom of movement of scientists between the UK and Europe, it will be a disaster for UK science and universities.

"Investment in science is as important for the long-term prosperity and security of the UK as investment in infrastructure projects, farming or manufacturing; and the free movement of scientists is as important for science as free trade is for market economics."