Barack Obama urges Britons to STICK with the EU despite calls for him to ‘BUTT OUT’

BARACK Obama is set to announce his support for Britain staying in the European Union when he arrives in this week.

The White House has suggested the President will set out his support for David Cameron’s ‘In’ campaign.

The pair will hold a joint press conference on Friday where Mr Obama is expected to give his opinion on June’s referendum and show his support for the UK sticking with the 28-member bloc.

Mr Obama’s advisor Ben Rhodes said the President would reveal his support for a remain vote if he is asked.

He said: "He will make very clear that this is a decision for the people of the United Kingdom to make, it's not a decision for us to make.

"But we have no closer friend in the world, and if we are asked our view as a friend, we will offer it."

The advisor said it would mean "being very straightforward and candid as a friend as to why the United States believes that it is good for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union".

Mr Obama will voice his opinions on Britain’s membership with the bloc despite calls from prominent ‘Out’ campaigners for him to stay out of the debate.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage warned: “President Obama should butt out.

"This is an unwelcome interference from the most anti-British American president there has ever been. Mercifully, he won't be in office for much longer."

Boris Johnson said it would be "hypocritical for America to urge us to sacrifice control — of our laws, our sovereignty, our money and our democracy — when they would not dream of ever doing the same.”

Commons leader Chris Grayling also suggested the US president "perhaps doesn't understand" the shift in power that has taken place between the UK and Brussels.

But former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urged the President to show his support for the ‘In’ campaign "loudly and clearly" during his visit to Britain.

Speaking at Princeton University, Mr Clegg warned that the "special relationship" would be put at risk if the UK left the EU.

Mr Clegg said the only prominent American who did not support the UK remaining in the EU was Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

He said: “President Obama has said that having the UK in the European Union gives the States 'much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union'.

“It is a case I hope and expect he will make loudly and clearly when he visits London in the coming days.

"In fact, the only prominent American who has dissented from that view is Donald Trump.”