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Monday 13 June 2016 2:03 pm

EU Referendum: John Longworth copies Ukip leader Nigel Farage and bets on Brexit

By: Edith Hancock

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Brexiteers are heavy betters.

Last month, Ukip leader Nigel Farage put his money where his mouth is, placing a £1,000 bet on Britain voting to leave the EU on 23 June.

Now, with just over a week to go before the nation decides, former British Chambers of Commerce chief John Longworth has followed suit.

Read more: Vote Leave accused of "Donald Trump type nonsense" by Clarke

The ex-business boss, who resigned as director general of the BCC in March claiming he felt unable to freely express his views on Brexit while at the helm of the EU-neutral body, strolled into a Ladbrokes betting shop on the Strand on Monday morning to put his stake on the "Out" vote.

A shrewd stalwart of the City, Longworth wasn't quite as bold as Farage and placed a modest £200 on Leave. With the odds of a Brexit vote now cut to 2/1, the former commerce boss stands to win £600 including his stake if his luck pays off.

Read more: Brexit odds cut again as Leave confidence grows

Despite the odds being more favourable for the status quo, Remain campaigners don't seem to be ones for gambling with their future. So far two key figures from the Out campaign have put their money where their mouths are but the Inners are yet to place a bet.

With Ladbrokes' offer standing at 1/2, and William Hill offering its shortest ever odds on a Brexit, an "In" vote could be the best bet. Will David Cameron pay a visit to the bookies this week?

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