Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group and owner of the Virgin Atlantic Brand has raised his voice on the Brexit Debate currently going on in the UK parliament. He stated categorically on Friday that leaving the European Union would be “Very Damaging” for Britain and could lead to a potential break up of the EU.

Many believe that his claims are related to his business prospects and not his loyalty to Britain or its course in future. This he seemed to affirm when he continued his interview by reaffirmed his pro-EU stance that he is prepared to unveil Virgin Galactic’s latest spacecraft. A comment below his published interview by Sky News read “For Branson, It is all about Business and claiming new territories. Do not take him serious”

He said it would be a “very sad day” if Britons voted to leave on referendum day and said he hoped “sense will prevail”.

“I think it would be a very, very, very, very sad day if British people voted to leave, I think it would be very, very damaging for Great Britain. I love Great Britain and I think it would be the start of most likely the break-up of the European Union.”

The 65-year-old highlighted that the European Union has avoided any wars within the bloc since the Second World War.

“In the Second World War, my father fought again the Germans. In the First World War, my grandfather fought, my great-grandfather fought 20 years before that.

He added: “Having a European Union – there are so many benefits and I just hope sense will prevail when it comes to having the vote on it.”

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies.