Branson reportedly meets May to discuss Brexit impact
Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson has held secret talks with Theresa May in an effort to boost his plea for a second referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union (EU), Sky News reported.
The broadcaster said Branson and and the Home Secretary, who is the front runner to succeed David Cameron as the Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, met last week following his warning that Brexit would cause "long-term damage [to Britain's economy] that is on the verge of going beyond repair".
It cited a source close to the founder of the Virgin empire said the meeting should not be interpreted as him offering support for May's leadership bid.
"There is no political endorsement and there was no ask of her beyond the need for politicians to show leadership," the source said.
"Richard simply explained why he felt there needed to be more details on what Brexit means and for the options to be debated in parliament."
May has publicly ruled out the prospect of a second referendum, saying: "Brexit means Brexit."
Branson last week said his company had cancelled a deal to acquire an unnamed UK-based company in the wake of the referendum result.
He also pointed to the slide in the share price of Virgin Money in the days following the Brexit vote.
In a blog-post published on 27 June, Sir Richard wrote: "The vast majority of MPs voted in by the electorate want the UK to stay part of Europe.
"In light of the misrepresentations of the Leave campaign, parliament should reject the results of this non-binding referendum as Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will do in Scotland's Parliament.
"Before the UK government invokes Article 50 of the European Treaty and does irreversible damage to the United Kingdom, the people's elected representatives must decide whether the facts that have emerged really warrant abandoning the EU and whether a second referendum will be needed."