AP, London
It’s springtime in London, but President Barack Obama might sense a chill in the air.
The U.S. leader will be welcomed by British Prime Minister David Cameron and wined and dined by the royal family on a three-day visit to the U.K. that starts late Thursday.
But Britain’s looming June 23 referendum about whether to stay in the 28-nation European Union has strained the “special relationship,” with several senior U.K. politicians bluntly telling the president to butt out of Britain’s debate. They have branded Obama “anti-British” and “unsuccessful” and accused him of meddling for suggesting that the U.S. would be happier if Britain stayed in the bloc.
“If he’s asked his view as a friend, he will offer it,” U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said, adding that the American stance was clear. ”
As the president has said, we support a strong United Kingdom in the European Union.” Obama’s agenda before he leaves for Germany on Sunday includes talks with Cameron on the global economy, on countering an increasingly assertive Russia and on the fight against the Islamic State group.