Jose Manuel Barroso the outgoing president of the European Commission said yesterday that the UK would have “zero” influence if it voted to leave the EU

He added that Britain could not negotiate with the US and China “on an equal footing” on its own.He also said free movement of people within the EU was an “essential” principle that could not be changed.

UK Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said Mr Barroso was “out of touch” and an “unelected bureaucrat”

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Barroso, whose term of office ends this month, said he believed Mr Cameron wanted Britain to remain in the EU.

“Britain is stronger in the European Union,” Mr Barroso said, pointing to the Ebola crisis as an area where Britain would not have the same level of influence if it was outside the EU.

Warning shots across the bows from Barroso before he heads into the sunset of oblivion

The BBC has more here

Jose Manuel who?

Jose Manuel who?