Now Obama warns Brits ‘not to pull back from world’ & ‘be optimistic’ after Brexit threat

PRESIDENT Obama warned Britons "not to pull back from the rest of the world" today just hours after being condemned for threatening Britain over Brexit.

The President speaking at a Q &A session with young people reitereated his message on Brexit and told them to "reject cynicism."

He urged young people to reject cynics telling them they cannot change the world as he held a town hall-style meeting in London.

The president insisted now was the best time in human history to be alive as he urged the audience to ignore cynical voices saying that nothing could change.

"Take a longer, more optimistic view of history," Mr Obama said.

Though he did not refer directly to his controversial remarks that a post-Brexit Britain would be at the "back of the queue" when it came to American trade deals, Mr Obama said that generally such economic agreements were difficult due to "parochial" interests and "factions" within countries.

Mr Obama said racial tensions in America still needed to be dealt with and people could not be complacent just because an African-American was in the White House.

"One of the dangers is that by electing a black president people say there must be no problem at all."

Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Turner were seen listening intently to the US President as he spoke about his ideals at Lindley Hall, Westminster, in a question and answer session he is calling a "town hall-style" meeting.

Singers Annie Lennox and Holly Valance were joined by fashion designer Ozwald Boeteng as Mr Obama answered questions from young people on the second full day of his visit.

The president came to talk to youngsters after a visit earlier this morning to the Globe in celebration of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death.

Nothing was going to stop be wishing happy birthday to her majesty and meeting George — who was adorable
Barack Obama
He started off the session in Westminster by thanking the Queen for lunch at Windsor Castle yesterday and told the audience how "adorable" Prince George was after meeting him yesterday evening when he went for drinks with Prince William, Kate and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.

He said: "I guess you all know why I came this week, it's no secret. Nothing was going to stop be wishing happy birthday to her majesty and meeting George — who was adorable.

"Michelle and I had the privilege to have visit with her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday.

"I can't tell you what we talked about. I can tell you that I hope that I'm such an engaging lunch partner when I am 90."

The president answered a wide-ranging set of questions from members of the public, mainly young people, including about the environment, transgender issues and the Northern Ireland peace process.

Asked about his biggest achievement in the past eight years as president, Mr Obama said he was most proud of bringing in health insurance and dealing with the financial crash.

He said: "Saving the world economy from a great depression, that was pretty good.

Though he did not refer directly to the implications of Brexit, Mr Obama said trade deals were generally difficult due to "parochial" interests and "factions" within countries.

The US leader also urged young people to ignore cynics, telling them they cannot change the world.

Mr Obama praised the close relationship between the US and the UK, which he said had improved dramatically since the British "burned down my house" — a reference to the torching of the White House in the war of 1812-1814.

Asked about the peace process in Northern Ireland, Mr Obama said it was an example of what can be achieved when the US and Britain work together.

He said he was pleased "tribal mentalities" were being broken down in Northern Ireland.

Mr Obama said racial tensions in America still needed to be dealt with and people could not be complacent just because an African-American was in the White House.

"One of the dangers is that by electing a black president people say there must be no problem at all."

Asked about which grassroots movements have been most impressive, Mr Obama cited the marriage equality campaign.

"It's probably been the fastest set of changes in terms of a social movement that I've seen," he added.

The president said he started out backing civil partnerships but gay friends helped persuade him that did not go far enough.

He said: "It's not simply about legal rights, but about a sense of stigma. If you are calling it something different it means less in the eyes of society."

Mr Obama also praised the Black Lives Matter movement for raising awareness but cautioned you "can't just keep on yelling" at people who want to sit down and talk.

The president is also meeting Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn later today following days of uncertainty regarding the event.